Difference Wiki

Holiday vs. Christmas

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 19, 2023
"Holiday" refers to a day of celebration or relaxation that can be religious or secular, while "Christmas" is a specific holiday celebrated on December 25th to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Key Differences

"Holiday" is a general term that refers to a day set aside for celebration or relaxation, either due to religious, national, or cultural reasons. "Christmas," on the other hand, is a specific holiday celebrated primarily by Christians to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
"Holiday" can represent a wide range of occasions, from religious holidays like Easter and Hanukkah to secular holidays like New Year's Day and Independence Day. "Christmas" is narrower in scope, specifically referring to the Christian celebration, which may also have secular aspects like gift-giving and decoration.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
In terms of grammar, both "holiday" and "Christmas" function primarily as nouns. While "holiday" can be pluralized as "holidays," indicating multiple days of celebration, "Christmas" is typically used in its singular form, although it can be possessive as in "Christmas's traditions."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
"Holiday" can also serve as an adjective, such as in "holiday season" or "holiday sale." "Christmas" similarly functions adjectivally in compounds like "Christmas tree" or "Christmas carol," signifying things or activities specific to this holiday.
Samantha Walker
Sep 19, 2023
In summary, while "holiday" is a more general term used to describe various types of celebratory or restful days, "Christmas" is a specific holiday celebrated by Christians, but widely recognized and often secularized.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023

Comparison Chart

Grammatical Role

Primarily a noun, can be an adjective
Primarily a noun, can be an adjective
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Specificity

General term for various occasions
Specific to Christian tradition
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Religious Affiliation

Can be religious or secular
Primarily religious, but often secularized
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Pluralization

Can be pluralized (holidays)
Usually singular
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023

Cultural Scope

Global, varies by culture
Widely celebrated, origin in Christianity
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023

Holiday and Christmas Definitions

Holiday

A day commemorating a special event.
Independence Day is a national holiday.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Christmas

December 25th.
Christmas is on December 25th this year.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Holiday

A day of celebration or relaxation.
We had a barbecue on the holiday.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023

Christmas

Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
We attend church on Christmas.
Samantha Walker
Sep 19, 2023

Holiday

A day exempt from work.
Many people get holidays off from work.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Christmas

A season of merriment and good cheer.
The Christmas season is full of joy.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Holiday

A period of leisure and recreation.
I'm taking a holiday next month.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023

Christmas

A holiday with popular traditions like decorating a tree.
We decorate the Christmas tree together.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

Holiday

A day free from work that one may spend at leisure, especially a day on which custom or the law dictates a halting of general business activity to commemorate or celebrate a particular event.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Christmas

A festival involving gift-giving and feasting.
We exchange gifts on Christmas morning.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Holiday

A religious feast day; a holy day.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Christmas

A Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

Chiefly British A vacation. Often used in the phrase on holiday.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Christmas

December 25, the day on which this feast is observed as a public holiday in many countries.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

To pass a holiday or vacation.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Christmas

Christmastide.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A day on which a festival, religious event, or national celebration is traditionally observed.
Today is a Wiccan holiday!
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Christmas

An annual church festival (December 25) and in some States a legal holiday, in memory of the birth of Christ, often celebrated by a particular church service, and also by special gifts, greetings, and hospitality.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A day declared free from work by the state or government.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Christmas

Period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A period of one or more days taken off work for leisure and often travel; often plural.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Christmas

A Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ; a quarter day in England, Wales, and Ireland
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A period during which pupils do not attend their school; often plural; rarely used for students at university (usually: vacation).
I want to take a French course this summer holiday.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Christmas

Spend Christmas;
We were christmassing in New York
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

(finance) A period during which, by agreement, the usual payments are not made.
A mortgage payment holiday
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A gap in coverage, e.g. of paint on a surface, or sonar imagery.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

(intransitive) To take a period of time away from work or study.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

To spend a period of time in recreational travel.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A consecrated day; religious anniversary; a day set apart in honor of some person, or in commemoration of some event. See Holyday.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A day of exemption from labor; a day of amusement and gayety; a festival day.
And young and old come forth to playOn a sunshine holiday.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A day fixed by law for suspension of business; a legal holiday.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

Of or pertaining to a festival; cheerful; joyous; gay.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

Occurring rarely; adapted for a special occasion.
Courage is but a holiday kind of virtue, to be seldom exercised.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

Leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure;
We get two weeks of vacation every summer
We took a short holiday in Puerto Rico
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A day on which work is suspended by law or custom;
No mail is delivered on federal holidays
It's a good thing that New Year's was a holiday because everyone had a hangover
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

Spend or take a vacation
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 25, 2023

Holiday

A religious feast day.
Easter is an important Christian holiday.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

FAQs

Can "holiday" be an adjective?

Yes, "holiday" can function as an adjective, as in "holiday season."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

What does "holiday" generally mean?

"Holiday" refers to a day set aside for celebration or relaxation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

What is "Christmas" specifically?

"Christmas" is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Can "holiday" be pluralized?

Yes, "holiday" can be pluralized as "holidays."
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023

Can "holiday" be religious?

Yes, a holiday can be religious, such as Easter or Hanukkah.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Can "Christmas" be an adjective?

Yes, "Christmas" can function as an adjective, as in "Christmas tree."
Samantha Walker
Sep 19, 2023

Is "Christmas" a religious holiday?

Yes, Christmas is primarily a religious holiday, though often secularized.
Samantha Walker
Sep 19, 2023

Does "Christmas" have secular aspects?

Yes, Christmas often involves secular practices like gift-giving.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023

Do all cultures celebrate holidays?

Yes, the concept of holidays exists in various cultures globally.
Samantha Walker
Sep 19, 2023

Is Christmas celebrated globally?

Christmas is widely celebrated, though its significance varies by region.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Can "holiday" refer to a national celebration?

Yes, "holiday" can refer to a day commemorating a special national event, like Independence Day.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023

Can "holiday" refer to a period of leisure?

Yes, "holiday" can also mean a period of leisure and recreation.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023

Is "Christmas" usually pluralized?

No, "Christmas" is usually used in its singular form.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023

Is a "holiday" always a day off work?

Not always, but many holidays are days exempt from work.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023

Is Christmas a public holiday in the U.S.?

Yes, Christmas is a federal holiday in the U.S.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons