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)

caroled, caroling , carolled, carolling .

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)

caroled, caroling , carolled, carolling .

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

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

Other Word Forms

• caroling noun
• caroler noun
• outcarol verb (used with object)
• uncaroled adjective
• uncarolled 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

A group of dancers from The Royal Ballet School, who performed in a Westminster Abbey carol service hosted by the princess last year, are also featured.

From BBC

After receiving her award, she was invited to attend the Princess of Wales' carol concert at Christmas.

From BBC

The musician is best known for his choral compositions, including Christmas carols, anthems and extended works such as the Gloria, the Requiem and the Magnificat.

From BBC

At her Christmas carol concert she called for "love, not fear" and said "love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times".

From BBC

Since the end of her treatment she has gradually returned to more public events, including Remembrance Sunday and her Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, which were seen as positive signs of her recovery.

From BBC