1 carol | Definition of carol

carol

noun
car·​ol | \ ˈker-əl How to pronounce carol (audio) , ˈka-rəl\

Definition of carol

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an old round dance with singing
2 : a song of joy or mirth the carol of a bird— Lord Byron
3 : a popular song or ballad of religious joy

carol

verb
caroled or carolled; caroling or carolling

Definition of carol (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to sing especially in a joyful manner
2 : to sing carols specifically : to go about outdoors in a group singing Christmas carols

transitive verb

1 : to praise in or as if in song
2 : to sing especially in a cheerful manner : warble

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Other Words from carol

Verb

caroler or caroller \ ˈker-​ə-​lər How to pronounce caroller (audio) , ˈka-​rə-​ \ noun

Synonyms for carol

Synonyms: Noun

anthem, canticle, chorale, hymn, psalm, spiritual

Synonyms: Verb

chant, descant, sing, vocalize

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Examples of carol in a Sentence

Noun

We sang our favorite carols while we decorated the tree. sang carols at the Christmas Eve service
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Willi embraced and celebrated his German heritage with German holiday ornaments and Christmas carols on Christmas Eve. — Karen Pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "German solider captured after the Battle of the Bulge remembered for living the American dream," 15 Aug. 2019 Half-Christmas should be celebrated by wearing ugly Christmas sweaters, drinking keg nog, singing Christmas carols to your neighbors, and barbecuing on your roof. — Cady Lang, Time, "There's No Time Like Today to Give 'Half-Christmas' the Sitcom Holiday Appreciation It Deserves," 25 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of carol

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

History and Etymology for carol

Noun

Middle English carole, from Anglo-French, modification of Late Latin choraula choral song, from Latin, choral accompanist, from Greek choraulēs, from choros chorus + aulein to play a reed instrument, from aulos, a reed instrument — more at alveolus

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More Definitions for carol

carol

noun

English Language Learners Definition of carol

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a song sung during the Christmas season

carol

verb

English Language Learners Definition of carol (Entry 2 of 2)

: to go from place to place singing Christmas carols

carol

noun
car·​ol | \ ˈker-əl How to pronounce carol (audio) \

Kids Definition of carol

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a usually religious song of joy
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