carol

¹ 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 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

• 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

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 • Dec. 24, 2025

In her Christmas message, the Archbishop said she had chosen a passage from the Gospel of John about finding light in the darkness, a popular choice at carol services.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2025

Many children find themselves singing at school in the run up to Christmas - at a nativity play or carol concert, often with parents watching proudly on.

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2025

The King, who seemed in festive form, joked with carol singers that they must be "moonlighting from the Royal Opera House" and teased reporters that they were not getting to test the drinks on display.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

Brother Luke was teaching him to sing a carol, because it was near to the Feast of Christmas.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli