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• carol
  carol

  noun

  a song, especially of joy.
• Carol
  Carol

  noun

  a male or female given name.
• Carol.
  Carol.

  abbreviation

  Carolingian.

carol

¹ American  

[kar-uhl] / ˈkær əl /

noun

carols plural

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)

carols, present (3rd person singular) caroled, past participle, past carolled, past participle, past caroling, present participle carolling present participle

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)

carols, present (3rd person singular) caroled, past participle, past carolled, past participle, past caroling, present participle carolling present participle

1. to sing joyously.

2. to praise or celebrate in song.

Carol ² American  

[kar-uhl] / ˈkær əl /

noun

1. a male or female given name.

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Carol. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Carolingian.

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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

Derived Forms

• caroler
  noun
• caroling
  noun
• uncaroled
  adjective
• uncarolled
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• carols
  plural

Participles

• caroling
  present
• carolling
  present
• caroled
  past
• carolled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• carol
  simple
• carols
  simple
• have caroled
  perfect
• have carolled
  perfect
• has caroled
  perfect
• has carolled
  perfect
• are caroling
  progressive
• are carolling
  progressive
• am caroling
  progressive
• am carolling
  progressive
• is caroling
  progressive
• is carolling
  progressive
• have been caroling
  perfect progressive
• have been carolling
  perfect progressive
• has been caroling
  perfect progressive
• has been carolling
  perfect progressive

Past

• caroled
  simple
• carolled
  simple
• had caroled
  perfect
• had carolled
  perfect
• was caroling
  progressive
• was carolling
  progressive
• were caroling
  progressive
• were carolling
  progressive
• had been caroling
  perfect progressive
• had been carolling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will carol
  simple
• will have caroled
  perfect
• will have carolled
  perfect
• will be caroling
  progressive
• will be carolling
  progressive
• will have been caroling
  perfect progressive
• will have been carolling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of carol

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

Explanation

A carol is a religious song that's sung around Christmas time. In some towns, people who celebrate Christmas go to neighbors' houses and sing carols. The most well-known carols are Christmas carols, but word applies to other religious songs as well. Various hymns and folk songs are sometimes called carols, and you can use the word as a verb to mean "sing a carol." In the 14th century, carol meant "to sing," but also "to dance in a ring," from the Old French carole, "ring dance accompanied by singers," probably from the Greek khoraules, "flute player who accompanies the dance."

Example Sentences

Drawing on Carol Dweck's concept of a "growth mindset," he encourages adults to focus praise on effort and learning rather than innate ability.

From Science Daily • Jun. 13, 2026

Danes’ Emmy longevity may not equal the likes of Carol Burnett, nominated in 2024 for “Palm Royale” 62 years after her first, but it’s mighty impressive for someone Danes’ age.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

He was also asked about comments he made in relation to TV presenter Carol Vorderman.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

A hospital chain near the Jersey Shore sometimes taps travel nurses during tourist season, when accidents and trauma cases rise, said Carol Gioia, chief nursing officer at AtlantiCare.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

“I have my driver’s license and Carol Lee has a car.”

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor