carnival

[ kahr-nuh-vuhl ]

noun

1. a traveling amusement show, having sideshows, rides, etc.
2. any merrymaking, revelry, or festival, as a program of sports or entertainment:

   a winter carnival.

   Synonyms: holiday, fete, celebration, fair

3. the season immediately preceding Lent, often observed with merrymaking; Shrovetide.

carnival

/ ˈkɑːnɪvəl /

noun

1. 1. a festive occasion or period marked by merrymaking, processions, etc: esp in some Roman Catholic countries, the period just before Lent
   2. ( as modifier )

      a carnival atmosphere

2. a travelling fair having merry-go-rounds, etc
3. a show or display arranged as an amusement
4. a sports meeting

Other Words From

• carni·val·esque carni·val·like adjective
• pre·carni·val adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnival¹

1540–50; < Italian carnevale, Old Italian carnelevare taking meat away, equivalent to carne flesh (< Latin carnem, accusative of caro ) + levare < Latin levāre to lift

Word History and Origins

Origin of carnival¹

C16: from Italian carnevale, from Old Italian carnelevare a removing of meat (referring to the Lenten fast)

Example Sentences

Critics argue the richest and most competitive fight in the female code should not be playing second fiddle to the Tyson-Paul carnival.

From BBC

So does the inclusion of Taylor-Serrano – a quality fight between two future hall of fame stars - legitimise the carnival of the main event?

From BBC

The New York Times summarizes Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally as “a closing carnival of grievances, misogyny and racism.”

From Salon

It was, all told, “a carnival of grievances, misogyny and racism,” as The New York Times put it.

From Salon

In 1996, a Connecticut town instituted a ban on Silly String at carnivals, parades and other public events, punishable by a fine of up to $99.

From Los Angeles Times

More About Carnival

What is Carnival?

Carnival, with a capital C, refers to the multiple-day period of merrymaking before the start of Lent. It is especially associated with the massive street festival held annually in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is famous for its big parades, ornate costumes, and samba dancing.

Carnival is also celebrated in many other countries, especially those with large Catholic populations, including Italy, Spain, France, and Germany (where it is called Fasching).

The equivalent pre-Lent celebration in the U.S. (especially New Orleans) and some other places is known as Mardi Gras.

In religious contexts, the three-day period before Lent is known as Shrovetide. Carnival is part of a tradition of indulging before the Lenten fast, but it is not a Christian holiday.

Carnival is also sometimes spelled Carnaval.

When is Carnival?

Carnival takes place during the days preceding Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. The length and start date of Carnival vary from place to place. The timing of the festival varies from year to year due to Easter having a variable date.

In 2024, Carnival festivities in Rio begin on Friday, February 9 and end Saturday, February 17. In 2025, it is scheduled to start on February 28.

Where does Carnival come from?

The more general sense of carnival referring to an amusement fair comes from the capital C sense of Carnival. The first use of Carnival in English, dating to the 1540s, was as the name of the pre-Lent festival. It comes from the Old Italian word carnelevare, meaning “taking meat away,” from carne, “flesh,” and the Latin levāre, “to lift.” The name is a reference to the traditional practice of abstaining from meat during Lent.

Carnival was first celebrated in Europe. It was brought to Brazil by the Portuguese. Though initially based on European customs, Carnival in Rio incorporates many traditions from Indigenous Brazilians as well as those passed down from enslaved African Peoples.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Carnival?

• Rio de Janeiro
• Mardi Gras
• Fasching
• Lent
• festival
• parade
• costume
• samba
• party

How is Carnival discussed in real life?

Carnival is especially associated with the massive street festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which features huge parades and lavish costumes.

Some of this year's Rio Carnival floats are extraordinary. Utterly enormous and intricately decorated. Layer after layer of detail. pic.twitter.com/fyB21Bssiz

— David Sim (@davidsim) March 4, 2019

These are some of the figurines/puppets that come out during Carnival in Olinda, Brazil. Whilst not as famous internationally as the Carnival in Rio, the Recife/Olinda Carnival is a huge, colourful event with the streets filled with the puppets that can be up to 20ft high! pic.twitter.com/nSFU081Bo5

— Alex Outhwaite (@AlexOuthwaite) January 12, 2022

Love this story!!! Johan Cruyff: "One day, Romario asked me if he could miss training to go to Brazil for carnival. I said: 'If you score 2 goals tomorrow you can go.' He scored twice in 20 minutes against Real Madrid & asked to be replaced. 'Coach, my plane leaves in 1 hour.'" pic.twitter.com/WrqijCYTsu

— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) January 18, 2022

 

Try using Carnival!

True or False?

Carnival takes place immediately after Lent.