Quick answer
Carouse means to drink and celebrate noisily. It is usually pronounced kuh-ROWZ, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Carouse
To carouse means to drink and celebrate noisily. It belongs to ridiculous verbs and works best in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
verbcomical-actionexpressive
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you carouse, you to drink and celebrate noisily. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Carouse feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Carouse is generally traced to from Germanic drinking language meaning empty the glass. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Carouse is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The interns began to carouse at once when the projector failed again.
- He carouseed through the explanation so fast that nobody trusted the final answer.
- In the play, nervous witnesses carouse whenever the magistrate clears his throat.
- She refused to carouse about the crisis and gave the room a usable plan instead.
- The children carouseed excitedly after finding the attic full of costumes.
When should you use this word?
Use carouse when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
Similar words
revel, party, roister, celebrate
Opposite or contrasting words
abstain, retire quietly, fast
Common questions
- What does carouse mean? to drink and celebrate noisily.
- How do you pronounce carouse? It is commonly pronounced kuh-ROWZ.
- Is carouse still used today? Carouse is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use carouse? Use carouse when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in comic action, lively dialogue, and verbs that do more than plain “move” or “say”.
- What words are similar to carouse? Similar words include revel, party, roister, and celebrate.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.