Carol
/ˈkær.əl/noun
A song of praise or a festive song, especially associated with Christmas.
Did you know?The word entered English through Old French from a Medieval Latin term for a ring-dance song, and its earliest life was more about dancing in circles than singing by a tree.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ger-
“to turn, bend, or move in a circle”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χορός (khorós)
“a dance, especially a circular dance; a group of dancers or singers”
Medieval Latin
Latin
carola
“a round dance song; a carol”
Old French
Old French
carole
“a dance in a ring, accompanied by singing”
Middle English
English
carole
“a song of praise or festive song, often sung while dancing”
Modern English
English
carol
“a festive song, especially for Christmas”
Explore more surprising origins