carol

¹

[ kar-uhl ]

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)

, car·oled, car·ol·ing or (especially British) car·olled, car·ol·ling.

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)

, car·oled, car·ol·ing or (especially British) car·olled, car·ol·ling.

1. to sing joyously.
2. to praise or celebrate in song.

Carol

²

[ kar-uhl ]

noun

1. a male or female given name.

Carol.

³

abbreviation for

1. Carolingian.

carol

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈcaroling, noun
• ˈcaroler, noun

Other Words From

• carol·er especially British, carol·ler noun
• outcarol verb (used with object) outcaroled outcaroling or (especially British) outcarolled outcarolling
• un·caroled adjective
• un·carolled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of carol¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of carol¹

C13: from Old French, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Carol Kane — “Between the Temples” 4.

From Los Angeles Times

Carol Kane in ‘Between the Temples’ is wonderful but an unlikely nominee.

From Los Angeles Times

Davis will be joined by the winner of the Carol Burnett Award honoring television achievements, which has yet to be announced.

From Los Angeles Times

Carol Shillabeer, chief executive, said the health board worked closely with vascular experts in Wales and the across the UK to reach its decision.

From BBC

Sweeney, founder of Fifty-Fifty Films, called out Tinseltown’s alleged faux feminism months after “Father of the Bride” producer Carol Baum dismissed her star power.

From Los Angeles Times