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Noel

Noel

22 3.7
A Christmas season from December 24 to January 6
  • noun
  • /noʊˈɛl/
translation icon : Navidad
  • Families come together to celebrate Noel with joy and love during the holiday season.

Examples

  • ♪ The first noel ♪ ♪ The angel did say ♪ ♪ Was to certain poor shepherds ♪ ♪ In fields as they lay ♪ ♪ In fields where they ♪ ♪ Lay keeping their sheep ♪

  • In any case, what you're describing is much better than last year's Christmas program, which had Papa Noel flying around the inside of the hall in a helicopter.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I should have stopped there and watched her disappear into the crowd, content with the acknowledgment of her smile, but the musicians launched into "The First Noel," and suddenly it felt so lonely listening to them by myself that I started after her again.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • ♪ The First Noel, the Angels did say ♪ Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay... ♪

  • And now, as night falls, an illuminated sign winks on above Broad Avenue: "Joyeux Noel Gotham"

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Many people decorate their homes to get ready for Noel, marking the start of Christmas festivities.

  • During Noel, it is common to sing carols and share gifts with loved ones.

Synonyms

Christmastime
vsNoel
27 1.0

A time around Christmas when people celebrate and give gifts

has identical meaning but differs only in wording or style
Yuletide
vsNoel
  • Archaic
13 7.4

The Christmas season around late December and early January

has identical meaning but differs only in wording or style
Yule
vsNoel
  • Archaic
5 9.6

The festive time from late December to early January with old traditions

has identical meaning but differs only in wording or style
Christmastide
vsNoel
  • Archaic
1 8.8

The time from December 24 to January 6 when people celebrate Christmas

has identical meaning but differs only in wording or style
Christmas
vsNoel
1.0

The time from December 24 to January 6 when people celebrate the holiday

has identical meaning but differs only in wording or style

Surface Forms

Noel singular
Noels plural

Etymology

Noel comes from the old French Noël, which in turn comes from the Latin natalis meaning 'birth'. So Noel is tied to the 'birthday' of Jesus, and that is why it refers to the Christmas season.