carol Hear it!

carol definition

carol (kar′əl)

noun

  1. Obsolete a kind of circle dance
  2. a song of joy or praise; esp., a Christmas song

Etymology: ME carole < OFr, kind of dance, Christmas song < ML choraula, a dance to the flute < L choraules < Gr choraulēs, flute player who accompanied the choral dance < choros, chorus + aulein, to play the flute < aulos, flute

intransitive verb caroled -·oled or carolled -·olled, caroling -·ol·ing or carolling -·ol·ling

  1. to sing, esp. in joy; warble
  2. to sing carols, esp. Christmas carols, in chorus with others

transitive verb

  1. to sing (a tune, etc.)
  2. to praise in song

Related Forms:

Carol definition

Carol (kar′əl)

noun

  1. a feminine name

  2. Etymology: ML Carolus: see Charles

    a masculine name

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

carol Synonyms

carol

n.

madrigal, Christmas song, noel, hymn; see hymn, song.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

carol Usage Examples

Object

  • singer: Will carol singers be a thing of the past?

Converse of object

  • sing: Carol Singing Members of the Fareham Churches will be singing carols in the Shopping Center on Saturday 18th December at 10.30am outside Boots.

Adjective modifier

  • enchanting: Enchanting carols and Christmas classics are exquisitely presented with all the grace and charm of the 18th century in an evocative candle-lit style setting.

Modifies a noun

  • singing: Events start with carol singing by local children at 4pm.

Noun used with modifier

  • candlelit: These resources are suitable for use during a candlelit carol service or at other times.

Preposition: from

  • choir: The format will be similar to that of previous years - congregational singing of the favorite carols, readings and carols from the choir.

Preposition: for

  • choir: The Senate House Singers ( University of London Staff Association ) present Music for Christmas with carols for choir and audience.

Preposition: by

  • candlelight: Carols by candlelight: Sunday 19th at 6.00 pm at All Saints.
carol usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

carol quotes

There's Carol like a rolling car, And Martin like a flying bird, And Adam like the Lord's First Word, And Raymond like the Harvest Moon, And Peter like a piper's tune, And Alan like the flowing on Of water. And there's John, like John.

-Farjeon, Eleanor

Like some full-breasted swan That, fluting a wild carol ere her death, Ruffles her pure cold plume, and takes the flood With swarthy webs.

-Tennyson

carol quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"carol." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/carol>

APA Style

carol. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/carol

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