carnival
/ˈkɑːnɪvl/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɑrnəvəl] /ˈkɑːrnɪvl/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈɑrnəvəl] /ˈkär-nə-vəl/ (ame, mw)
carnival — noun
- carnivalsingular
- carnivalsplural
1. a large public celebration with music, dancing, bright costumes, and happy crowd
a large public celebration with music, dancing, bright costumes, and happy crowds, often returning at the same time each year.
Yan spent carnival week sewing sequins onto the blue costume for the dance group.
during carnival week
Brass bands filled the avenue while families waved from balconies during the carnival parade.
carnival parade
Elise booked a room early because the carnival brings huge crowds to Nice.
After sunset, fireworks closed the carnival and glitter drifted over the harbour.
- festival
broader word for any public celebration and not always as noisy or costume-filled
- street party
more local and informal, usually without the same parade tradition
- celebration
general word that does not suggest floats, costumes, or annual timing
文法句型
at the carnival
during carnival week
carnival parade
用法筆記
Often used for a citywide celebration with parades, costumes, and dancing. Distinguish from sense 3, which is usually a smaller local event built around stalls and fundraising.
常見錯誤
2. a temporary outdoor funfair where people ride machines, play prize games, and mo
a temporary outdoor funfair where people ride machines, play prize games, and move between stalls and shows.
Asher won a giant bear at the carnival after three lucky ring tosses.
at the carnival
The children ran toward the carnival when the Ferris wheel lights switched on.
go to the carnival
We ate fried dough beside the carnival and watched workers test the bumper cars.
Tuan saved pocket money for the carnival to ride the spinning ship twice.
- funfair
common British word for a similar place with rides and booths
- fairground
stresses the grounds and rides more than the event atmosphere
- midway
often names the row of games and rides inside a larger fair
文法句型
at the carnival
go to the carnival
traveling carnival
用法筆記
This sense names the entertainment place itself, especially one set up for a short period. Unlike sense 1, the focus is on rides and game booths rather than a public cultural celebration.
3. a local outdoor event with food, small contests, and stalls, often put on to rai
a local outdoor event with food, small contests, and stalls, often put on to raise funds for a school, church, or town group.
Joaquin sold lemon cake at the school carnival to raise money for new drums.
school carnival to raise money
The church carnival offered beanbag games, noodles, and handmade candles.
church carnival
Parents from every class helped run the carnival on the football field.
Karim bought raffle tickets at the carnival before cheering at the sack race.
- fair
broader word that does not always suggest fundraising
- fundraiser
names the money-raising purpose but not the games and stalls
- bazaar
often focuses more on selling goods than on rides or contests
文法句型
school carnival
church carnival
run a carnival
用法筆記
Usually used for a school, church, or neighbourhood event with booths and simple competitions. Distinguish from sense 1, which is larger, more public, and more strongly tied to parades or annual festival traditions.
常見錯誤
4. a loud, messy situation where many things happen at once and people seem half ou
a loud, messy situation where many things happen at once and people seem half out of control.
When the fire alarm rang during rehearsal, the backstage area became a carnival.
became a carnival
By noon, the group chat was a carnival of jokes, stickers, and missed calls.
a carnival of + noise or activity
Once the toddlers found the paint trays, the art room turned into a carnival.
Reporters described the market after the blackout as a carnival of shouting and pushing.
- order
a calm, controlled state without noisy confusion
文法句型
be a carnival of + noise/activity
turn into a carnival
用法筆記
Used figuratively for noisy confusion, not for an actual public event. It often appears with 'of' or after verbs like 'become' and 'turn into'.