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.

---

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.

---

Carol. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Carolingian.

---

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

---

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

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.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

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.

From The Wall Street Journal