What does holidaying mean?
Holidaying is the present participle and gerund of holiday, used to describe spending time away for leisure or vacation. It is particularly natural when the destination or general activity is mentioned, as in phrases such as go holidaying or holidaying abroad. The word has a relaxed, pleasant connotation because it evokes travel, free time, and an escape from everyday responsibilities. It is common in British English and is also used in American English, although vacationing is often preferred there. Holidaying should not be confused with observing a religious or public holiday: it normally implies taking a personal break, often involving travel. Although its present-day meaning is secular, the word holiday has religious roots, ultimately deriving from the Old English term for a holy day. The modern -ing form preserves that history while expressing an action associated with rest and leisure.
verbTo spend a holiday or vacation, especially away from one's usual location. It is the present participle and gerund of the verb holiday.
- Spending one's holiday or vacation, especially away from one's usual location.
"We spent the summer holidaying on the coast."
"They are holidaying in Provence for three weeks."
"The resort is especially popular with families holidaying abroad."
A holiday began as a holy day; holidaying now usually means leaving work behind and taking time to enjoy yourself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of holidaying
Holidaying is formed by adding the present-participle and gerund ending -ing to the established verb holiday. Holiday derives from Old English hāligdæg, meaning “holy day,” and belongs to the same etymological family as holy, holiness, and hallow. Over time, its meaning expanded from a religious observance to a period of leisure or travel, which made the modern sense of holidaying possible.
How holidaying is actually used
Informal to neutral in register. It is common in British English and is also used in American English, where vacationing may be more frequent. It refers to taking leisure time away, not merely observing a public holiday.