Carols are Christian religious songs that are sung at Christmas.
The singing of Christmas carols is a custom derived from early dance routines ofpagan origin.
...carol singers at the door.
Synonyms: song, noel, hymn, Christmas song More Synonyms of carol
carol in British English
(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
verbWord forms: -ols, -olling, -olledWord forms: US-ols, -oling or -oled
3. (intransitive)
to sing carols at Christmas
4.
to sing (something) in a joyful manner
Derived forms
caroler (ˈcaroler) or caroller (ˈcaroller)
noun
caroling (ˈcaroling) or carolling (ˈcarolling)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French, of uncertain origin
Carol in American English
(ˈkærəl)
noun
1.
a feminine name
see also Caroline
2.
a masculine name
Word origin
(sense 2) ML Carolus: see Charles1
carol in American English
(ˈkærəl)
noun
1. Obsolete
a kind of circle dance
2.
a song of joy or praise; esp., a Christmas song
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈcaroled or ˈcarolled, ˈcaroling or ˈcarolling
3.
to sing, esp. in joy; warble
4.
to sing carols, esp. Christmas carols, in chorus with others
verb transitive
5.
to sing (a tune, etc.)
6.
to praise in song
Derived forms
caroler (ˈcaroler)
noun or ˈcaroller
Word origin
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
Examples of 'carol' in a sentence
carol
What impresses us most is the number of songs and carols learned by the youngsters this term.
The Sun (2014)
The crib was designed to be carried around during carol singing.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
What would you put in a new carol?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You could be carol singing but you're coughing your lungs up.
The Sun (2009)
We were joking about whether we'd have protesters singing carols outside.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Singing a selection of carols and popular songs with a room full of wonderful people from the older generation left me feeling warm inside.
The Sun (2014)
Expect all your favourite carols.
The Sun (2014)
The language of old carols, she thought, was too tricky and biblical.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It features local crafts, gifts, festive food and drink plus carol singing.
The Sun (2015)
He grumbles a little about singing carols in the old folks' home, but accepts the importance of doing so.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
carol
British English: carol /ˈkærəl/ NOUN
Carols are Christian religious songs that are sung at Christmas.
The children all sang carols as loudly as they could.