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noun Common

Holland

HO-luhnd
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Holland (noun) means a common informal name for the Netherlands, technically referring to just two of its provinces (North and South Holland). Example: “Many tourists say they're visiting Holland when they really mean the whole of the Netherlands.”

noun
1
A common informal name for the Netherlands, technically referring to just two of its provinces (North and South Holland).
"Many tourists say they're visiting Holland when they really mean the whole of the Netherlands."

How to use Holland

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA widely used but technically narrower name for the Netherlands.

Common mistake

Strictly, "Holland" refers only to the North Holland and South Holland provinces, not the entire country of the Netherlands — though the two names are used interchangeably in everyday speech.

Easily confused with
netherlands →
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Word forms

Plural
hollands
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Many tourists say they're visiting _____ when they really mean the whole of the Netherlands.

Etymology

From Old Dutch holt lant, meaning "wood land." A popular but incorrect folk theory instead links it to "hollow land," referring to the country's famously low-lying terrain.

Origin: Dutch

Synonyms

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netherlands the low countries

Related words

Netherlands

Rhymes for Holland

Mulholland
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Frequently asked questions

What does “Holland” mean?
The word “Holland” means a common informal name for the Netherlands, technically referring to just two of its provinces (North and South Holland). In plain terms, a widely used but technically narrower name for the Netherlands.
How do you pronounce “Holland”?
“Holland” is pronounced HO-luhnd (/ˈhɑ.lənd/ in IPA).
How do you use “Holland” in a sentence?
Here is “Holland” used in a sentence: “Many tourists say they're visiting Holland when they really mean the whole of the Netherlands.”
What part of speech is “Holland”?
“Holland” is a noun.
Where does the word “Holland” come from?
The word “Holland” comes from Dutch. From Old Dutch holt lant, meaning "wood land." A popular but incorrect folk theory instead links it to "hollow land," referring to the country's famously low-lying terrain.
Is “Holland” a common word?
“Holland” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between Holland and the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is the official name of the whole country, while Holland is a common informal name for it. Strictly speaking, Holland refers to just two of the country's provinces, North Holland and South Holland, so using it for the entire nation is informal rather than technically accurate.
Is it correct to call a person from the Netherlands 'Hollandish'?
No. People from the Netherlands are called Dutch, and their language is also Dutch. 'Hollandish' is not standard English, and even 'Hollander' is uncommon compared with simply saying Dutch.
Why is the Netherlands often called Holland?
Holland is used informally for the whole country because the provinces of North and South Holland have historically been its most populous and economically dominant regions. Over time their name came to stand for the entire nation in casual usage.

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