carnival
noun/ˈkɑːnɪvl/
/ˈkɑːrnɪvl/
- [countable, uncountable] a public festival, usually one that happens at a regular time each year, that involves music and dancing in the streets, for which people wear brightly coloured clothes
- There is a local carnival every year.
- the carnival in Rio
- a carnival atmosphere
- [countable] (North American English) (also fair British and North American English, British English also funfair)a type of entertainment in a field or park at which people can ride on large machines and play games to win prizes
- [countable] an outdoor public event or celebration involving entertainment, games, food and drink, etc., often organized by a town or village
- The children are getting ready for the village carnival.
- Live music, sports demonstrations and a spectacular parade are all planned for this year's Woodley Carnival.
- [singular] carnival of something (formal) an exciting or brightly coloured mixture of things
- this summer’s carnival of sport
Word Originmid 16th cent.: from Italian carnevale, carnovale, from medieval Latin carnelevamen, carnelevarium ‘Shrovetide’, from Latin caro, carn- ‘flesh’ + levare ‘put away’.
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carnival