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

“Villa Vie Odyssey will be spending a month in the Caribbean before embarking on a 4-month South American journey featuring 2 Panama Canal transits, 2 World Wonders, the Chilean Fjords, an Antarctic sail-by, Carnival in Rio and an 8-day endeavor deep into the Amazon River,” it said.

From Salon

Producers Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant, who helm Carnival Films, acquired the rights through a deal with Universal, but were reluctant to remake the seminal movie.

From Los Angeles Times

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

But unlike the first fight, the rematch is built exclusively around the carnival of the headline bout.

From BBC

Charlie Chamberlain, 26, Harley Kingham, 22, Hayden Salter, 24, and Josh Herridge, 28, will perform perform aboard the bus during Glastonbury’s illuminated carnival.

From BBC