At a glance
verbcomical-actionexpressive
Word page
Carouse
To carouse is to drink, feast, and make merry in a loud, boisterous way.
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
To carouse is to drink, feast, and make merry in a loud, boisterous way.
Why this word feels absurd
It sounds far classier than the behavior it often describes, which is exactly part of its charm.
Origin and history
The word entered English through older European drinking culture and kept the sense of hearty, excessive celebration.
Is this word still used today?
Still used in historical writing, newspapers, and humor for revelry with a slightly literary flavor.
Example sentences
- They caroused until dawn after the victory.
- The novel is full of soldiers who fight by day and carouse by night.
- It is a perfect word for merry excess with a touch of swagger.
When should you use this word?
Use carouse when you want a vivid, precise word in place of a flatter everyday alternative. It works especially well in writing that welcomes color, voice, and a little surprise.
Similar words
revel, party, roister, celebrate
Opposite or contrasting words
abstain, retire quietly, fast
Common questions
- What does carouse mean? To carouse is to drink, feast, and make merry in a loud, boisterous way.
- Is carouse still used today? Still used in historical writing, newspapers, and humor for revelry with a slightly literary flavor.
- Why does carouse sound so strange? It sounds far classier than the behavior it often describes, which is exactly part of its charm.