carol

¹

[kar-uhl]

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.

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

²

[kar-uhl]

noun

1. a male or female given name.

Carol.

³

abbreviation

1. Carolingian.

carol

/ 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

verb

1. (intr) to sing carols at Christmas

2. to sing (something) in a joyful manner

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of carol¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of carol¹

C13: from Old French, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The smell of roasted almonds, caramelised apples, chocolate-coated fruit, mulled wine and grilled sausages fills the air, as Christmas carols are performed live on a stage and children enjoy a small, sparkling Ferris wheel.

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A Christmas carol plays, but the festive atmosphere feels overshadowed.

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A choir performed reworked Christmas carols, adapting the lyrics to voice opposition to the Rosebank oil field, located west of the Shetland Isles.

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As well as the readings by the British acting stars, carols will be sung by the Westminster Abbey choir, alongside musical performances.

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He commissioned new compositions and laid the groundwork for what would become Tubachristmas, a yearly event held in hundreds of cities across the world featuring many traditional carols.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal