holiday
– B1-C1 (intermediate to advanced) –
Practice Your Listening Comprehension
Practice Your Reading Comprehension
In Canadian English, this word typically means:
(countable noun) a special day reserved for a public celebration, commemoration, or observance*
celebration (noun): a fun activity/event that takes place in order to show the importance of a particular person/thing
commemoration (noun): a serious activity/event that takes place in order to help people remember the importance of a particular person/thing
observance (noun): an educational activity/event that takes place in order to help people learn about the importance of a current characteristic of/issue in their culture
*NOTE: the definition of “holiday” may change if it is being used in a fixed expression (e.g. “the holidays,” “to be on holidays,” “to take holidays,” etc.)
In Canada, there are many types of holidays, depending on region, governance, and the obligation to work/study:
federal holiday: a holiday on which federal government employees do not have to go to work
optional holiday: a holiday on which the federal government has given provincial governments permission to choose whether their residents have to go to work/school
statutory/bank/public/official holiday: a holiday on which the majority of residents (federal/provincial/civic) do not have to go to work/school
national/unofficial holiday: a holiday on which the majority of Canadian residents have to go to work/school
provincial/civic/territorial holiday: a statutory or unofficial holiday that is only observed in a particular province or territory
local/municipal holiday: a holiday that is only observed in a particular town/city, municipality or region
EXAMPLES
“Canada has multiple holidays every month. From Easter to Christmas, to National Indigenous Peoples Day and Remembrance Day, Canadians love to party, remember, and learn!”
“His wife’s least favourite holiday is Halloween because she does not like the scary costumes and decorations.”
“Growing up, my favourite holiday was Canadian Multiculturalism Day. I loved learning about all my friends’ and classmates’ cultures, tasting their traditional dishes, participating in their traditional dances, and doing other fun activities that are common to their heritages or home countries.”
What kinds of holidays does your country have? Do you have a favourite? A least favourite? Practice using this word by letting me know in the comments below.
