Carol

¹ American  

[kar-uhl] / ˈkær əl /

noun

1. a male or female given name.

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Carol. ² American  

abbreviation

1. Carolingian.

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carol ³ American  

[kar-uhl] / ˈkær əl /

noun

1. a song, especially of joy.

2. a Christmas song or hymn.

3. a seat in a bay window or oriel.

4. a compartment in a cloister, similar to a carrel.

5. a kind of circular dance.

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verb (used without object)

caroled, caroling, carolled, carolling

1. to sing Christmas songs or hymns, especially in a group performing in a public place or going from house to house.

2. to sing, especially in a lively, joyous manner; warble.

verb (used with object)

caroled, caroling, carolled, carolling

1. to sing joyously.

2. to praise or celebrate in song.

carol British  

/ ˈkærəl /

noun

1. a joyful hymn or religious song, esp one (a Christmas carol ) celebrating the birth of Christ

2. archaic an old English circular dance

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verb

1. (intr) to sing carols at Christmas

2. to sing (something) in a joyful manner

Other Word Forms

• caroler noun
• caroling noun
• outcarol verb (used with object)
• uncaroled adjective
• uncarolled adjective

Etymology

Origin of carol

1250–1300; Middle English carole ring, circle (of stones), enclosed place for study ( carrel ), ringdance with song (hence, song) < Anglo-French carole, Old French *corole (compare Old Provençal corola ), apparently < Latin corolla garland ( corolla ), conflated with Latin choraula < Greek choraúlēs piper for choral dance, equivalent to chor ( ós ) chorus + -aulēs, derivative of aulós pipe

Example Sentences

A Ukrainian choir sang a carol, with many of the group's singers in the UK because of the war.

From BBC

The mother and daughter sat together to play a piece they know well by Scottish composer Erland Cooper, for Catherine's Christmas carol concert.

From BBC

People go along to the carol service in nearby Llandaff Cathedral and enjoy their meal afterwards.

From BBC

This is not the first time Catherine - who has passed her grade three piano and grade five theory - has played at a carol service.

From BBC

Britain's Princess Catherine and her daughter Charlotte have teamed up to perform a piano duet in a prerecorded clip for a Wednesday replay of a Christmas carol service.

From Barron's