car·ni·val
 carnival
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- pronunciation:
- kar
n
vl
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun), Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a traveling commercial amusement show, usu. offering rides, games of chance, and sideshows.
They went on all the rides at the carnival.
- similar words:
- circus, fair, festival, puppet show, sideshow
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| definition 2: |
an occasion or period of festive revelry, esp. the time just before Lent.
We're excited about going to Brazil during carnival.- synonyms:
- Mardi gras
- similar words:
- celebration, festival, fete, fiesta, masque, masquerade, revelry, revels
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| related words: |
feast, jamboree |
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Carnival comes from Latin and means "to stop eating meat." In the 1500s, "carnival" time was the last three days before the Christian season of Lent. It was the last chance to eat meat until Easter.