noun
Uncommon
Noel
noh-EHL
Noel (noun) means a traditional Christmas carol or hymn. Example: “The choir sang a beautiful noel to close the service.”
noun
1
A traditional Christmas carol or hymn.
"The choir sang a beautiful noel to close the service."
intj
1
An exclamation used to celebrate or mark Christmas.
""Noel!" rang out from the carolers on the street corner."
name
1
A given name, often used for people born around Christmas.
"Her grandfather, Noel, was born on Christmas Eve."
How to use Noel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to Christmas, either as a word for a carol or as a name given to those born near the holiday.
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Word forms
- Plural
- noels
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The choir sang a beautiful _____ to close the service.
Etymology
From Old French Noel ("Christmas"), ultimately from Latin nātālis diēs ("birth day"), the same root behind "natal" and "Natal."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Noel
See all rhymes for Noel →Frequently asked questions
What does “Noel” mean?
The word “Noel” means a traditional Christmas carol or hymn. In plain terms, refers to Christmas, either as a word for a carol or as a name given to those born near the holiday.
How do you pronounce “Noel”?
“Noel” is pronounced noh-EHL (/nəʊˈɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Noel” in a sentence?
Here is “Noel” used in a sentence: “The choir sang a beautiful noel to close the service.”
What part of speech is “Noel”?
Depending on how it is used, “Noel” can be a noun, an intj and a name.
Where does the word “Noel” come from?
The word “Noel” comes from Latin. From Old French Noel ("Christmas"), ultimately from Latin nātālis diēs ("birth day"), the same root behind "natal" and "Natal.".
Is “Noel” a common word?
“Noel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Noel” have?
“Noel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a traditional Christmas carol or hymn.
Is Noel the same as Christmas?
Noel is closely associated with Christmas but is not simply another word for the holiday itself. As a noun it refers to a traditional Christmas carol or hymn, and as an interjection it is an exclamation used to celebrate the season, often sung in carols.
Should Noel be capitalized?
When used as a given name or in direct reference to Christmas celebrations, Noel is typically capitalized. In some carol lyrics it may appear in lowercase as 'noel' when used generically as an exclamation, though capitalization conventions vary by publisher.
Why is Noel used as a name for people born around Christmas?
Noel is traditionally given as a first name to children born near or during the Christmas season, drawing on its meaning as a term associated with the holiday's carols and celebrations.
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