Carouse: meaning, definitions and examples

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carouse

[kəˈraʊz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

socializing

To drink plentiful amounts of alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way, often with the implication of boisterousness or rowdiness.

Synonyms

celebrate, party, revel.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
carouse	Carouse is typically used to describe loud and lively drinking with friends, often involving alcohol, and can sometimes imply excessive drinking in a negative sense. They decided to carouse all night after winning the championship
celebrate	Celebrate is used for marking a happy occasion or event with activities, special food, or gatherings. It is the most neutral and positive term in this group. We will celebrate her birthday with a big cake and a party
revel	Revel implies enjoying oneself in a lively and noisy way, usually with a lot of dancing, drinking, and socializing. It often has a sense of being carefree and joyous. The crowd began to revel once the band started playing their favorite songs
party	Party is a general term for a social gathering where people enjoy food, drink, music, and other entertainment. It is a commonly used word and can be casual or formal. They threw a party to celebrate their anniversary

Examples of usage

They were carousing in the pub until the early hours of the morning.
After winning the championship, the team caroused all night long.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

activity

A noisy, lively drinking party.

Synonyms

bash, celebration, gathering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
carouse	Used when describing loud, drunken parties or revelry, often with a negative connotation implying excessive drinking. They caroused all night after their team won the championship
celebration	A general term used for any event or activity marked by festivities or ceremonies, often formal and focused on honoring a specific occasion. We had a celebration to mark our company's 50th anniversary
bash	Commonly used to describe an energetic, festive party, often informal and celebratory in nature. It can also imply a large or significant event. She's throwing a huge bash for her 30th birthday
gathering	Used to describe a casual or formal coming together of people, often smaller and more intimate, without focusing on the festivity aspect. There was a small gathering at their house to honor her promotion

Examples of usage

The carouse at the office Christmas party lasted until the early hours.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Middle French 'caroussel,' which meant 'to drink' or 'a drinking party.'
It was influenced by the German term 'kahrus,' which described a revelry or noisy gathering.
In the late 14th century, it evolved in use to mean a party filled with drinking and merriment.

Cultural References

In Shakespeare's time, drinking and celebrating were an essential part of social life, often portrayed in his plays.
Many folk songs, like 'Drunken Sailor,' reflect the tradition of carousing as a way of bonding among friends.
Carousing has been depicted in art throughout history, showing scenes of revelry from ancient times.

Psychology

Participating in social drinking can enhance feelings of bonding and increasing social cohesion among groups.
Studies indicate that joyful gatherings, including carousing, can reduce stress and promote happiness.
However, moderation is essential, as excessive carousing can lead to negative health effects and behavior.

Historical Context

During the Middle Ages, feasts often included carousing as a way to celebrate victories and significant events.
The tradition evolved throughout the Renaissance, where grand nobles held elaborate feasts filled with music, dancing, and drinking.
In the 1920s, the trend of carousing saw a boom with the rise of jazz culture and speakeasies during Prohibition in the U.S.

Literature

Charles Dickens frequently wrote about carousing in his novels, often depicting the ups and downs of festive gatherings.
In modern literature, carousing often serves as a backdrop for character development and relationship dynamics.
Works like 'The Great Gatsby' showcase carousing as emblematic of the lavish lifestyle in the Roaring Twenties.

Translations

Translations of the word "carouse" in other languages:

🇵🇹 festejar

🇮🇳 उत्सव मनाना

🇩🇪 schwelgen

🇮🇩 berpesta

🇺🇦 бенкетувати

🇵🇱 hulanka

🇯🇵 どんちゃん騒ぎ

🇫🇷 festoyer

🇪🇸 juerga

🇹🇷 alem yapmak

🇰🇷 흥청거리다

🇸🇦 احتفال

🇨🇿 hodovat

🇸🇰 hodovať

🇨🇳 狂欢

🇸🇮 praznovati

🇮🇸 hátíðahöld

🇰🇿 тойлау

🇬🇪 დღესასწაული

🇦🇿 bayram etmək

🇲🇽 juerga

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,857 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
34854 gnomic
34855 chignon
34856 warlock
34857 carouse
34858 eclogue
34859 jovially
34860 cogitation
...