# Carmen

/ˈkɑɹmən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carmen
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. female name

noun · CEFR A1

a common name for a girl or woman, originally from Spanish.

For teachers: a feminine given name of Spanish origin, derived from the title of the Virgin Mary, 'Nuestra Señora del Carmen'.

- Carmen decided to study law after she finished her first degree.
- The protagonist, Carmen, remains one of the most iconic and complex figures in nineteenth-century operatic history.

### 2. drivers of carts

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for men who drove horse-drawn carts to carry goods.

For teachers: the plural form of 'carman', denoting individuals whose occupation involved driving horse-drawn vehicles for the transport of goods.

- In the old city records, several carmen were listed as living on that street.
- The guild of carmen held significant influence over the distribution of coal and timber throughout the city during the seventeenth century.

Usage: This is the irregular plural of 'carman'; modern English uses 'carters' or 'drivers' instead.

## Examples

- The poet recited a carmen to honor the new king.
- Scholars analyzed the ancient carmen to understand the religious beliefs of the early Roman settlers.
- The collection includes several examples of the carmen saeculare, a hymn commissioned for the centennial games to invoke divine protection over the state.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.