carnival

n. a public event with music, dancing, and people wearing colorful costumes in the streets.

n. a festive public occasion characterized by parades, music, and street performances, often involving elaborate costumes.

“The city holds a huge carnival every summer with dancers and loud music.”

“The annual carnival transformed the quiet coastal town into a vibrant display of local culture and artistic expression.”

n. the period of celebration and parties that happens just before the Christian season of Lent.

n. the season of merrymaking and feasting that immediately precedes the Christian period of Lent.

“Many people travel to Rio de Janeiro to experience Carnival in February.”

“Historically, Carnival served as a final period of indulgence before the strict dietary and social restrictions of the Lenten fast began.”

n. a traveling show with rides like carousels, games to win prizes, and snack food.

n. a traveling amusement show featuring mechanical rides, games of chance, and refreshment stalls.

“The kids were excited when the carnival set up its rides in the park.”

“The local carnival offered a variety of attractions, ranging from vintage wooden carousels to modern high-speed thrill rides.”

American English

n. a situation where the normal rules of society are ignored or turned upside down for a short time.

n. a context in which social hierarchies and norms are temporarily suspended or inverted, often for satirical purposes.

“The party felt like a carnival where the students acted like teachers and the teachers like students.”

“Bakhtin argued that the medieval carnival provided a necessary outlet for the lower classes to mock the ruling authorities without fear of punishment.”

Academic

n. a place or event that is very noisy, colorful, and disorganized.

n. a gaudily chaotic or riotous situation characterized by a lack of order and high sensory input.

“The department store was a total carnival during the holiday sales.”

“The press conference quickly devolved into a carnival as reporters shouted over one another to get the candidate's attention.”

Informal