Noel

[ noh-el noh-uhl, nohl ]

noun

1. Christmas ( def ).
2. (lowercase) a Christmas song or carol.
3. a male given name.

Noel

/ nəʊˈɛl /

noun

1. (esp in carols) another word for Christmas
2. rare.
   often not capital a Christmas carol

Word History and Origins

Origin of Noel¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from French Nöel, ultimately from Latin nātālis (diēs) “birthday”; natal

Word History and Origins

Origin of Noel¹

C19: from French, from Latin nātālis a birthday; see natal ¹

Example Sentences

Noel Drake, a 29-year-old who lives in Utah, said she felt “very bleak” about politics before this year.

From BBC

At CatEye Beauty, owner Noel added a “teen facial with skincare lesson” to her list of services in March.

From Los Angeles Times

“Alison and Noel held me and comforted me and pushed me to carry on,” she said.

From BBC

Newly reconciled brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher added a slew of dates to their Oasis Live ’25 tour, with plans to play one show in the greater Los Angeles area in August.

From Los Angeles Times

Previously, Noel and Liam Gallagher said they had not been aware that dynamic pricing would be used for their UK stadium shows next summer.

From BBC

More About Noel

What does Noel mean?

Noel is another word for Christmas, the Christian holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.

Most Christians celebrate the holiday on December 25, but it is celebrated on January 7 in the Orthodox Church due to the use of a different calendar.

Christmas is also widely observed in secular (nonreligious) ways. Popular activities include the decoration of a Christmas tree and the exchange of gifts.

However, the word Noel is often used in a religious context. It’s possible for people to wish each other a Happy Noel, but the word is perhaps most commonly seen written on things like Christmas cards and decorations.

The word can also be used to refer to a Christmas carol or song (in which case it is not capitalized), but is no longer commonly used this way.

Fittingly, most people know the word from the popular Christmas carol “The First Noel.”

Example: We wish you and your family a joyous Noel!

Where does Noel come from?

The first records of the word Noel in English come from the early 1800s. It comes from French Nöel—the French way of saying Merry Christmas is Joyeux Noël. 

The word derives from Latin word nātālis (diēs), meaning “birthday.” Another name for Christmas is Nativity. Both Nativity and Noel reference the birth of Jesus and ultimately come from the Latin verb nāscī, meaning “to be born.” The English word natal (meaning “relating to a person’s birth”) is also based on this root.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for Noel?

• Christmas
• Nativity

What are some words that share a root or word element with Noel? 

• Nativity
• natal

What are some words that often get used in discussing Noel?

• first
• joyous
• merry
• happy
• Jesus
• December 25
• holiday

How is Noel used in real life?

Noel is usually used on things like Christmas cards and decorations. Most people know the word from the Christmas carol “The First Noel.”

Joyful Noel…. spending time with family in Texas

— Jessica Alexander (@JAlexander2) December 26, 2009

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!!! Joyous Noel and happy holidays!!!

❤️🐬❤️ pic.twitter.com/TUfY3KZfoa

— 🐬Dolphin311983🐬 (@Dolphin321983) December 24, 2018

The First Noel 🎶 A Christmas classic sung beautifully by @GabbyBarrett_ on #CMAchristmas 🥰🎄 pic.twitter.com/MUdqgPMq5d

— ABC (@ABCNetwork) December 1, 2020

 

Try using Noel!

Is Noel used correctly in the following sentence?

We gather here today to celebrate Noel, the Nativity of our Lord.