# holster

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhɒlstə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #26,463

## Definitions
1. A case for carrying a tool, particularly a gun, safely and accessibly.
2. A belt with loops or slots for carrying small tools or other equipment.

## Etymology
From Dutch holster (“pistol-case, holster”), from Middle Low German holster, from Old Saxon *holster, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *hulastrą, *hulistrą (“hull, case, covering”).
Cognate with Old English heolstor (“a covering, veil, hiding-place”), Danish hylster (“pistol case, envelope”), Icelandic hulstur (“sheath”), Gothic 𐌷𐌿𐌻𐌹𐍃𐍄𐍂 (hulistr, “covering”). Compare German Halfter (“pistol case”). Related to hull, hele.

## Easily confused with
- **hosted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/holster-vs-hosted)
- **hotter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/holster-vs-hotter)
- **hostel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/holster-vs-hostel)
- **Hoosier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/holster-vs-hoosier)
- **holder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/holder-vs-holster)
- **Hester** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hester-vs-holster)
- **holler** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/holler-vs-holster)
- **halter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/halter-vs-holster)
- **holier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/holier-vs-holster)
- **hipster** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hipster-vs-holster)
- **hamster** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hamster-vs-holster)
- **hoisted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hoisted-vs-holster)
- **holstein** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/holstein-vs-holster)
- **Hollister** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hollister-vs-holster)

## Common misspellings (11)
`hholster`, `hloster`, `hollster`, `holsetr`, `holsster`, `holsterr`, `holstre`, `holstter`, `holtser`, `hoslter`, `ohlster`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/holster