Definition

Noun: 1. A joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ: A Christmas carol is a traditional song, often with a simple and memorable melody, whose lyrics focus on the themes of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, the Christmas season, and associated religious joy.

Usage and Examples

• As a subject:
  • The children sang a beautiful Christmas carol at the church service.
  • "Silent Night" is a famous Christmas carol known worldwide.
• As an object:
  • We learned a new Christmas carol for the school concert.
  • The choir performed several traditional Christmas carols.

Advanced Usage

• "To go caroling" or "to sing Christmas carols": This refers to the tradition of visiting homes or public places to sing Christmas carols.
  • Every December, our family goes caroling in the neighborhood.
• Used to evoke a specific atmosphere or feeling associated with the Christmas season.
  • The sound of a Christmas carol from the radio made the room feel festive.

Variants and Related Words

• Carol (noun/verb): The word "carol" itself can be used more broadly for a joyful hymn or song, especially a religious one for a particular season. As a verb, it means to sing carols.
  • Noun: They sang a carol of praise.
  • Verb: We will carol in the town square.
• Hymn: A religious song of praise, typically addressed to a god. A Christmas carol is a specific type of hymn.
• Noel: Another word for a Christmas carol, derived from the French word for "Christmas."

Synonyms

• Yuletide song: A less common synonym emphasizing the Christmas season (Yule).
• Nativity song: A synonym focusing specifically on the birth of Christ.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Deck the Halls": This is the title of a popular Christmas carol, and the phrase is often used to refer to the act of decorating for Christmas.
• "The First Noel": This is the title and opening line of a classic Christmas carol.

Noun

1. joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ