What does caroller mean?
A caroller is a person who sings carols, usually religious or seasonal songs associated with Christmas. The term most often describes a singer who performs outdoors, in a church, or at an organized Christmas event, although its basic meaning is simply someone who carols. Carollers commonly appear in groups, providing music for passersby or participants in religious services. In British English, caroller is the usual spelling; the spelling caroler is especially common in American English and refers to the same activity. Because the word names the performer rather than the song itself, it is useful where a sentence needs to identify the people making the music: a lone caroller at midnight, a lively band of carollers outside a church, or the sudden appearance of a caroller in a story. The word carries a warm, festive, and often nostalgic association, though its literal use can apply to any person singing a carol.
nounA person who sings carols, especially Christmas carols or hymns sung publicly during the Christmas season.
- A person who sings carols, especially Christmas carols or hymns sung publicly during the Christmas season.
"A small group of carollers gathered outside the church and sang carols to the passing crowd."
"The caroller stood beneath the streetlights and sang a cheerful Christmas hymn."
"In the novel, an elderly caroller visited the house every Christmas Eve."
The regular plural of caroller is carollers.
"The carollers toured the town, singing at every church."
A caroller turns a cold winter street into a concert hall, one Christmas song at a time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does caroller come from?
Caroller is an agent noun formed from carol and the suffix -er, meaning “one who carols.” The word carol entered Middle English from Old French carole, which could denote a song or a round dance; the precise origin of the Old French word is disputed. Its historical counterparts include French carole and Medieval Latin carola, from which the English agent form was developed.
How caroller is actually used
Caroller is standard in British and Commonwealth English and is also used in American English, where caroler is more common. The word is usually neutral but often carries festive, nostalgic, or gently traditional associations.
Easily confused with caroller
A caroler and a caroller both mean a person who sings carols, but caroller is the usual British spelling while caroler is especially common in American English.