Meaning & use
carolers
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“carolers” is a form of “caroler”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
People who sing Christmas songs, often in a group, especially while walking from house to house.
Grammar: Plural of caroler: one caroler, a group of carolers.
Patterns
- carolers sing something
- carolers at the door
A group of carolers knocked on the door and sang for ten minutes.
The carolers wore scarves and carried small candles.
Neighbors gave the carolers hot chocolate.
nounplural
Singers who perform carols at a church service, in a choir or at a public event during a holiday season.
Grammar: Often refers to a planned performing group, not just door-to-door singers.
Patterns
- carolers in something
Carolers from the school choir performed in the town square.
The church invited carolers to lead the candlelight service.
Word forms
| singular | caroler |
|---|
Common combinations
- group of carolers
- A group of carolers came down our street last night.
- Christmas carolers
- Christmas carolers sang outside the hospital.
- carolers sing
- The carolers sing in the shopping center each December.
- costumed carolers
- Costumed carolers dressed in Victorian clothes entertained the crowd.
- welcome the carolers
- We opened the door to welcome the carolers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- singers
- This is general and can refer to anyone who sings, while carolers are tied to holiday songs.
- choristers
- This usually means formal members of a church or school choir, not casual groups walking house to house.
- wassailers
- This is an older, regional term for people who sing and visit homes at midwinter, and sounds old-fashioned.
- waits
- This is an old British word for street musicians at Christmas, and few people use it now.
Word family
Commonly confused: carolers or Carol? carolers or carollers?
carolers vs Carol
Carol is a girl's name, but 'carolers' are people who sing carols.
carolers vs carollers
This is the British spelling, with a double l; it means the same as carolers.
Practice
At Christmas, a group of ______ walked down our street singing holiday songs.
Choose one answer.
Carolers are people who sing Christmas songs. Commuters travel to work, jurors sit on a jury, and vendors sell things, none of which fits singing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “carolers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.