hole / hōl/ • n. 1. a hollow place in a solid body or surface: he dug out a small hole in the snow. ∎  an animal's burrow. ∎  an aperture passing through something: he had a hole in his sock. ∎  a cavity or receptacle on a golf course, typically one of eighteen or nine, into which the ball must be hit. ∎  a cavity of this type as representing a division of a golf course or of play in golf: Stephen lost the first three holes to Eric. ∎  Physics a position from which an electron is absent, esp. one regarded as a mobile carrier of positive charge in a semiconductor. ∎  [in place names] a valley: Jackson Hole.2. inf. a small or unpleasant place: she had wasted a whole lifetime in this hole of a town. ∎ inf. an awkward situation: get yourself out of a hole.• v. [tr.] 1. make a hole or holes in: a fuel tank was holed by the attack and a fire started.2. Golf hit (the ball) so that it falls into a hole: alternate shots from each partner until the ball is holed | [intr.] he holed in one at the third.PHRASES: blow a hole in ruin the effectiveness of (something): the amendment could blow a hole in the legislation.in the hole inf. in debt: we're still three thousand dollars in the hole.in holes worn so much that holes have formed: my clothes are in holes.make a hole in use a large amount of: holidays can make a big hole in your savings.need something like a hole in the head inf. used to emphasize that someone has absolutely no need or desire for something. a square peg in a round hole see peg.PHRASAL VERBS: hole out Golf send the ball into a hole. hole up inf. hide oneself: I holed up for two days in a tiny cottage in Pennsylvania.DERIVATIVES: hol·ey / ˈhōlē/ adj.