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Caroline

1 American  
[kar-uh-lahyn, -lin] / ˈkær əˌlaɪn, -lɪn /

adjective

  1. of or relating to Charles, especially Charles I and Charles II of England or their times.


Caroline 2 American  
[kar-uh-lin, -lahyn] / ˈkær ə lɪn, -ˌlaɪn /

noun

  1. a female given name.


Caroline British  
/ ˌkærəˈliːən, ˈkærəˌlaɪn /

adjective

  1. Also called: Carolinian.  characteristic of or relating to Charles I or Charles II, kings of England, Scotland, and Ireland, the society over which they ruled, or their government

  2. of or relating to any other king called Charles

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Caroline

1645–55; < Medieval Latin Carolīnus, equivalent to Carol(us) Charles + -īnus -ine 1 ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Morton, who trained at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama in London, was also a noted stage actor who founded the Raindog Theatre Company with fellow actors Robert Carlyle and Caroline Paterson.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Party strategist Caroline Welles, who works to elect first-time Democratic women to state legislatures, said the 13-point swing from 2024 margins across special elections is "reason for us to feel bullish."

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Even the haunting score by the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw is outstanding, immeasurably enhancing the dark, delicate atmosphere.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Caroline, by contrast, has grown into a bold, outspoken presence.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

When we’d finished and I was ready to go, she said, “My sister Caroline teaches dance every Wednesday in the back of Papa Jay’s. There are lots of girls your age. You could join.”

From "Educated" by Tara Westover