carol
KA-ruhl
/ˈkærəl/
A traditional, joyful song of praise or celebration, especially one sung during the Christmas and winter holiday season; as a verb, to sing joyfully.
A carol is specifically a festive, communal song, often with a religious or traditional theme, sung in a group. It carries a connotation of warmth and shared joy.
The story behind the word. The word carol originally had more to do with dancing than singing. It comes from the Old French 'carole', which referred to a popular circle or round dance accompanied by singers. Over time, the dancing aspect was lost, and the word came to mean the joyful, festive songs themselves.
Word relationships
- hymn: A hymn is a strictly religious song of praise, whereas a carol can be secular, festive, and is specifically associated with winter holidays.
- song: Song is a generic term for any vocal music, while carol is a specific genre of festive, seasonal music.
Commonly confused with
- ballad: A ballad is a narrative poem or song that tells a story, whereas a carol is a festive song of celebration.
Word family
- caroling (noun): The activity of singing carols in a group.
- caroler (noun): A person who sings carols.
Collocations
- sing a carol
- holiday carol
- carol singers
- door-to-door caroling
Example sentences
- "We could hear the sweet strains of a holiday carol drifting through the cold air." A group of singers spreading holiday cheer in a neighborhood.
Memory hook
'Carol' is a cheerful person who loves to sing holiday 'carols' in the snow. Carols are joyful holiday songs.
When not to use
Do not use for modern pop songs, somber hymns, or instrumental pieces; a carol is traditionally vocal, melodic, and celebratory.
Fun facts
- In medieval England, carols were actually banned by some strict religious groups who viewed the associated dancing and merrymaking as too pagan.
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