Word
Definition
n. a Christian holiday on December 25th that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Most people celebrate by giving gifts, eating special meals, and spending time with family.
n. an annual Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed on December 25th. In secular contexts, it serves as a cultural holiday characterized by gift-giving and familial gatherings.
Examples
“We always decorate the tree before Christmas.”
“Many businesses close for several days during Christmas to allow their employees to travel home and visit relatives.”
“While the religious significance remains central for many, Christmas has evolved into a global commercial phenomenon that significantly impacts retail sectors and international travel patterns during the winter season.”
Examples
simple
“We always decorate the tree before Christmas.”
contextual
“Many businesses close for several days during Christmas to allow their employees to travel home and visit relatives.”
complex
“While the religious significance remains central for many, Christmas has evolved into a global commercial phenomenon that significantly impacts retail sectors and international travel patterns during the winter season.”
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the holiday period; countable when referring to a specific year's celebration ('a Christmas to remember').
Pitfall
I will see you in Christmas
I will see you at Christmas
Use the preposition 'at' for the holiday period; use 'on' only if referring specifically to Christmas Day.
Etymology
The proper noun is derived from Middle English Cristemasse, Criste-mas (“Christmas Day; season of Christmas; Christmas festivities”) [and other forms], from Old English Cristes mæsse (“Christmas”, literally “Christ’s mass”), from Crist (“Christ”) + -es (possessive marker) + mæsse (“a mass (celebration of the Eucharist)”). The English word is analysable as Christ + -mas (suffix denoting a holiday or sacred day). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Kristmisse (“Christmas”), West Frisian Krystmis (“Christmas”), Dutch Kerstmis (“Christmas”), German Low German Karstmis (“Christmas”). The noun, adjective, and verb are derived from the proper noun. Adjective etymology 1 sense 1 (“red and green in color”) refers to these colors being traditionally associated with Christmas.
Short for Jiminy Christmas, probably a variant of Jiminy Cricket or Jiminy Crickets, a euphemism for Jesus Christ.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/christmas
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR