carny

Or car·ney

[kahr-nee]

noun

plural

carnies 

1. a person employed by a carnival.

2. carnival.

adjective

1. of or relating to carnivals.

   carny slang.

carny

¹

/ ˈkɑːnɪ /

noun

1. short for carnival

2. a person who works in a carnival

carny

²

/ ˈkɑːnɪ /

verb

1. informal,  to coax or cajole or act in a wheedling manner

Word History and Origins

Origin of carny¹

First recorded in 1930–35; carn(ival) + -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of carny¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

He eventually ended up in Florida, where he became a jack-of-all-trades carny and developed a sharp instinct for advance publicity and promotion.

From Los Angeles Times

How could a mere carny know about the music business, or qualify him to steward the king of rock ‘n’ roll?

From Los Angeles Times

Once out of the carny racket, McCurdy became more famous in death than he had been in life.

From Los Angeles Times

Professional wrestling and carny culture can be great fun.

From Salon

Hollywood came calling, and Robertson was cast as a lead in the 1980 film “Carny,” which he also produced.

From Los Angeles Times