• Today's Word

Carouse

🔊 Listen to the word Carouse

kuh-ROWZ

Definition

(verb) To drink and celebrate loudly or exuberantly, often in a rowdy group.

Example

After the victory, the whole team caroused through the streets until dawn.

Word Origin

From German garaus machen, meaning “to drink up” or “finish completely,” later evolving into the idea of boisterous revelry.

Fun Fact

In the 1500s, carousing referred to a specific drinking toast — essentially “bottoms up!” As the custom spread, the word broadened to mean any night of energetic, unrestrained festivity. Writers often use it to capture scenes of joyful chaos: overflowing taverns, festival crowds, or spirited celebrations where stories (and regrets) are made.