noun
Uncommon
carnage
KAH-nihj
Carnage (noun) means Widespread death and destruction, especially from violence or disaster. Example: “The battlefield was a scene of total carnage.”
noun
1
Widespread death and destruction, especially from violence or disaster.
"The battlefield was a scene of total carnage."
"News crews arrived to film the carnage left by the tornado."
2
An overwhelming, one-sided defeat, especially in sport.
"The final score was pure carnage — 9-0."
How to use carnage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtreme destruction or slaughter — used both literally (war, disaster) and loosely (a lopsided game or messy situation).
Memory tip
It almost always implies something shocking or excessive, not just ordinary damage.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
scene of carnage
total carnage
leave a trail of carnage
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Word forms
- Plural
- carnages
Fill the gap
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The battlefield was a scene of total _____.
Etymology
From Old French carnage, ultimately from Latin caro/carnis, meaning "flesh" — the same root found in "carnivore" and "incarnate."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for carnage
See all rhymes for carnage →Frequently asked questions
What does “carnage” mean?
The word “carnage” means widespread death and destruction, especially from violence or disaster. In plain terms, extreme destruction or slaughter — used both literally (war, disaster) and loosely (a lopsided game or messy situation).
How do you pronounce “carnage”?
“Carnage” is pronounced KAH-nihj (/ˈkɑɹ.nɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “carnage” in a sentence?
Here is “carnage” used in a sentence: “The battlefield was a scene of total carnage.”
What is another word for “carnage”?
Words with a similar meaning to “carnage” include massacre and bloodbath.
What part of speech is “carnage”?
“Carnage” is a noun.
Where does the word “carnage” come from?
The word “carnage” comes from Latin. From Old French carnage, ultimately from Latin caro/carnis, meaning "flesh" — the same root found in "carnivore" and "incarnate.".
Is “carnage” a common word?
“Carnage” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “carnage” have?
“Carnage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: widespread death and destruction, especially from violence or disaster.
