christmas

IPA/ˈkrɪsməs/
KK[krˈɪsməs]IPA/ˈkrɪsməs/

christmas — noun

  • christmassingular
  • christmasesplural

1. a Christian holiday held on 25 December that marks the day people believe Jesus

1.nounA1
Definition

a Christian holiday held on 25 December that marks the day people believe Jesus was born. In many countries, families also give presents to each other and celebrate together.

Example

The Hernandez family gathered around the fireplace to open presents on Christmas morning.

collocation: Christmas morning

The whole family helped decorate the Christmas tree and put up colorful lights.

collocation: decorate the Christmas tree

Common collocations
  • Christmas tree
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas morning
  • Christmas Day
  • Christmas dinner
  • Christmas card
  • Christmas gift
  • Christmas spirit
  • the Christmas season
  • the first Christmas
  • Merry Christmas
  • Happy Christmas
  • celebrate Christmas
  • spend Christmas
  • at Christmas
  • for Christmas
  • over Christmas
Synonyms
  • Xmas

    informal abbreviation of Christmas; some people consider it disrespectful, so avoid in formal writing

  • Christmas Day

    refers specifically to December 25, not the surrounding period

  • Noel

    literary or religious term for Christmas, often used in carols and formal church contexts

Grammar Patterns

always capitalized

Usage Note

Always capitalized in English. Can refer to both the religious observance on December 25 and the broader festive period (the weeks before and after). The common greeting is Merry Christmas in most English-speaking countries; Happy Christmas is also heard, especially in the UK.

Common Mistakes

I sent her a christmas card.
I sent her a Christmas card.
The word must always start with a capital letter because it is a proper noun.
We celebrate Christ Mass every year.
We celebrate Christmas every year.
The modern word is Christmas, not two separate words.

Word family

  • Christmassy
    adjectiveB2
  • Christmas Eve
    nounA2
  • Christmas Day
    nounA1
  • Christmastide
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Christmas is the standard, all-purpose term for both the religious holiday and the cultural festivities. Xmas is a casual abbreviation seen in notes and signs, but some people avoid it because the 'X' replaces the name 'Christ' — it is best reserved for informal contexts. Christmas Day pinpoints December 25 alone, not the weeks of preparation and celebration around it. Noel (often capitalized) appears mostly in Christmas carols, poetry, and religious worship; it carries a formal or old-fashioned tone. For everyday conversation, Christmas is the safest and most widely understood choice.

Christmas ↗Xmas ↗Christmas DayNoel ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Christmas tree
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day
  • Christmas morning
  • Christmas dinner
  • Christmas card
  • Christmas gift
  • Christmas spirit
  • Christmas holiday
  • Christmas season

Phrases

  • Merry Christmas
  • Happy Christmas
  • celebrate Christmas
  • spend Christmas
  • the first Christmas

Prepositions

  • at Christmas
  • for Christmas
  • over Christmas
  • during Christmas

Etymology

Old EnglishGreekLatinEnglish

Christmas comes from the Old English Cristes mæsse, meaning 'Christ's mass' — the religious service held to honor Jesus Christ. The first element, Crist (Christ), comes from the Greek Christos, meaning 'anointed one'. The second element, mæsse (mass), comes from the Latin missa, the name for the Christian liturgical service. The word appeared in English writing before the 12th century and has been in continuous use ever since.