Noel

[noh-el, noh-uhl, nohl]

noun

1. Christmas.

2. (lowercase),  a Christmas song or carol.

3. a male given name.

Noel

/ nəʊˈɛl /

noun

1. (esp in carols) another word for Christmas

2. rare,  (often not capital) a Christmas carol

Word History and Origins

Origin of Noel¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from French Nöel, ultimately from Latin nātālis (diēs) “birthday”; natal

Word History and Origins

Origin of Noel¹

C19: from French, from Latin nātālis a birthday; see _natal ¹

Example Sentences

One of the UK's largest and most abusive cults, the Jesus Army, or Jesus Fellowship Church, was founded by Noel Stanton, the late pastor of Bugbrooke Chapel, in Northamptonshire in 1969.

From BBC

Noel Gallagher scanned the audience at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night and pointed down at a fan in the front row.

From Los Angeles Times

And the wedding itself was a glittering affair, with Noel Coward and Douglas Fairbanks Jr adding Hollywood sparkle and Queen Elizabeth II leading a procession of the royal families of Europe.

From BBC

The following year, the band imploded when Noel walked out on Aug. 28, following a backstage fight with Liam at a music festival just outside Paris, departing just before their scheduled headlining slot.

From Los Angeles Times

It might sound silly, but how else can you explain Noel Gallagher performing alongside his brother for months and coming away with a sunny outlook?

From Salon

When To Use

What does Noel mean?

Noel is another word for Christmas, the Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.Most Christians celebrate the holiday on December 25, but it is celebrated on January 7 in the Orthodox Church due to the use of a different calendar.Christmas is also widely observed in secular (nonreligious) ways. Popular activities include the decoration of a Christmas tree and the exchange of gifts.However, the word Noel is often used in a religious context. It’s possible for people to wish each other a Happy Noel, but the word is perhaps most commonly seen written on things like Christmas cards and decorations.The word can also be used to refer to a Christmas carol or song (in which case it is not capitalized), but is no longer commonly used this way.Fittingly, most people know the word from the popular Christmas carol “The First Noel.”Example: We wish you and your family a joyous Noel!