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  • Word comparison: carnival vs. Mardi Gras

carnival vs. Mardi Gras

carnival

noun

  1. a traveling amusement show, having sideshows, rides, etc.
  2. any merrymaking, revelry, or festival, as a program of sports or entertainment:

    a winter carnival.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  3. the season immediately preceding Lent, often observed with merrymaking; Shrovetide.

Mardi Gras

noun

  1. the day before Lent, celebrated in some cities, such as New Orleans and Paris, as a day of revelry and merrymaking. Fat Tuesday ( def ), Shrove Tuesday ( def ).
  2. a pre-Lenten carnival period climaxing on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.