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

Likewise, his painstaking recreation of the past in period pieces like “Far From Heaven,” “Carol,” or “Wonderstruck” has proven his ability not just to capture the look and feel of a bygone era, but to transport audiences right back into it.

From Washington Blade

A spin-off featuring Daryl and Carol is slated to air in 2023.

From Washington Blade

I’m also assuming that when Fury or Talos tells Carol that Monica is now in space, Carol will want to pay her a visit.

From Vox

This sets up Monica’s reported appearance and reunion with Carol in the Captain Marvel sequel.

From Vox

Donald Duck doesn’t play Scrooge in Mickey’s Christmas Carol!

From Vox

There was Carol White, a ho-hum homemaker who finds herself besieged by multiple chemical sensitivity in Safe.

From The Daily Beast

A Christmas Carol revived and reinvented it around the gift of giving.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, a score or so of films have been made of the story, some called A Christmas Carol and others, simply, Scrooge.

From The Daily Beast

When A Christmas Carol was published just in time for the Christmas of 1843, the holiday had been in a long decline in England.

From The Daily Beast

Today, in contrast, if Grandma Maude starts one in Maine, Aunty Carol can directly help out from California.

From The Daily Beast

She looked radiantly beautiful, and as happy as if her soul were singing a Christmas Carol.

From Project Gutenberg

Ill wager you dont even know what side of a horse to get on, declared Carol as the latter two disappeared into their own room.

From Project Gutenberg

I gathered that much, Virginia said, rising as Janet and Carol returned, this time fully dressed and eager to get outside.

From Project Gutenberg

At supper Janet and Carol had proposed a camping trip which the others received with enthusiasm.

From Project Gutenberg

I wish I had brought some cotton, Carol commented darkly, for my ears, she added at Janets curious glance.

From Project Gutenberg