carnage
Carnage (noun) means Widespread death and destruction, especially from violence or disaster. Example: “The battlefield was a scene of total carnage.”
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).
It almost always implies something shocking or excessive, not just ordinary damage.
Trace the full origin ↓Word forms
carnages plural
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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
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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.