carol

1 of 2

noun

car·​ol ˈker-əl 

ˈka-rəl

1

: an old round dance with singing

2

: a song of joy or mirth

the carol of a bird

—Lord Byron

3

: a popular song or ballad of religious joy

carol

2 of 2

verb

caroled or carolled; caroling or carolling

intransitive verb

1

: to sing especially in a joyful manner

2

: to sing carols

specifically : to go about outdoors in a group singing Christmas carols

transitive verb

1

: to praise in or as if in song

2

: to sing especially in a cheerful manner : warble

caroler noun

or caroller

ˈker-ə-lər 

ˈka-rə-

Synonyms

Noun

• anthem
• canticle
• chorale
• hymn
• psalm
• spiritual

Verb

• chant
• descant
• sing
• vocalize

Examples of carol in a Sentence

Noun

We sang our favorite carols while we decorated the tree.

sang carols at the Christmas Eve service

Verb

Last night, we went caroling with our friends.

she caroled with glee when she heard the good news

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

When December 2025 rolls around, Carey will likely make history as well with her yuletide carol. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

The only magical snowfall in the Bay Area on Wednesday came when white confetti fluttered down at the end of a basketball game between the Lakers and Golden State Warriors while a carol played over the Chase Center loudspeakers. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024

Verb

The song hits plenty of holiday reference points — pumpkin pie, caroling, boughs of holly. —David Bauder, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

Where: The tree lighting ceremony is at the Rotunda (235 W. Broadway); the participants will begin at the Rotunda and will carol through downtown Waukesha and end at Riverfront Plaza (29 Riverfront St.) for the Walk of Lights illumination ceremony. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English carole, from Anglo-French, modification of Late Latin choraula choral song, from Latin, choral accompanist, from Greek choraulēs, from choros chorus + aulein to play a reed instrument, from aulos, a reed instrument — more at alveolus

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing carol

• Christmas carol

Kids Definition

carol

1 of 2 noun

car·​ol ˈkar-əl 

: a usually religious song of joy

carol

2 of 2 verb

caroled or carolled; caroling or carolling

1

: to sing especially in a joyful manner

2

: to sing carols and especially Christmas carols

caroler noun

or caroller