carnival
0 antonyms and opposites of carnival, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A festive public celebration, often with parades, music, costumes, and dancing, traditionally held before Lent.
How to use carnival
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Italian carnevale, possibly from a Latin phrase meaning roughly "putting away meat" — a reference to the feasting held right before the meat-free fasting period of Lent.
Full origin of carnival →Frequently asked questions
What does “carnival” mean?
The word “carnival” means a festive public celebration, often with parades, music, costumes, and dancing, traditionally held before Lent. In plain terms, a big, festive celebration or fair — either the religious pre-Lent festival or a traveling amusement fair (called a "funfair" in British English).
How do you pronounce “carnival”?
“Carnival” is pronounced KAH-nih-vuhl (/ˈkɑɹnɪvəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “carnival” in a sentence?
Here is “carnival” used in a sentence: “Rio's carnival draws millions of visitors every year.”
What part of speech is “carnival”?
“Carnival” is a noun.
Where does the word “carnival” come from?
The word “carnival” comes from Latin. From Italian carnevale, possibly from a Latin phrase meaning roughly "putting away meat" — a reference to the feasting held right before the meat-free fasting period of Lent.
Is “carnival” a common word?
“Carnival” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “carnival” have?
“Carnival” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a festive public celebration, often with parades, music, costumes, and dancing, traditionally held before Lent.
What is the difference between a carnival and a festival?
A 'carnival' is a specific kind of festive celebration, traditionally held before Lent with parades, costumes, music, and dancing, or a travelling fair with rides and games. A 'festival' is any organised celebration or event, so a carnival is one particular type of festival.
What is the difference between a carnival and a circus?
A 'carnival' is typically a public celebration or a travelling fair with rides, games, and food stalls that visitors wander around freely, while a 'circus' is a staged show of acts such as acrobats and clowns for a seated audience. Carnivals are come-and-go attractions; circuses are ticketed performances.
Why is carnival held before Lent?
Traditionally, 'carnival' is a festive public celebration held in the period before Lent, the Christian season of fasting and reflection. It is a time of feasting, parades, music, and revelry before the more solemn weeks that follow.