carnal

adjective

car·​nal ˈkär-nᵊl How to pronounce carnal (audio)
1
a
: relating to or given to crude bodily pleasures and appetites
gluttony and other carnal activities
b
: marked by sexuality
carnal love
2
: bodily, corporeal
seen with carnal eyes
3
a
: temporal
carnal weapons
the superiority of the spiritual and eternal over the carnalH. O. Taylor
b
: worldly
a carnal mind
carnality noun
carnally adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for carnal

carnal, fleshly, sensual, animal mean having a relation to the body.

carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person's lower nature.

gave in to carnal desires

fleshly is less derogatory than carnal.

a saint who had experienced fleshly temptations

sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual.

fleshpots providing sensual delights

animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person.

led a mindless animal existence

Examples of carnal in a Sentence

the preacher warned that those who were interested only in carnal pursuits would not see the kingdom of heaven a missionary who tends to the carnal needs of the people as well as to their spiritual concerns
Recent Examples on the Web The earliest designs on summer tomatoes are always the raw ones: tomato sandwiches, tomato salads, tomatoes peeled and sliced and fanned out on a platter, glistening like something more carnal than vegetal. Emily Horton, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Mendoza was arrested on one felony charge of carnal knowledge of a child without force and one felony charge of taking indecent liberties with a child, the sheriff's office said. Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2024 At the center of the mayhem is The Glória, a bar that provides an instantly welcoming community to Gabriel and a space that morphs effortlessly from bar, to dance floor, to clandestine back room where patrons engage their carnal, oft-illicit desires. Holly Jones, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023 The follow-up to 2018's Dirty Computer trades in the high-concept, sci-fi world-building of her previous releases for hickeys, bottle-popping, and a heady feast of all things carnal. Owen Myers, EW.com, 8 July 2023 The Last Dinner Party’s uninhibited side extends to its lyrics, which recount one intense, perhaps brief, carnal relationship after another. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2024 Likewise, his band’s best songs are bodied and visceral, almost carnal, but not without surprisingly elaborate narratives. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024 The former coach was charged with carnal knowledge of a minor and taking indecent liberties with children, according to a statement from police. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2024 Expulsion was averted when inquires led not to lascivious carnal acts but rather the use of the toilet. Jon Niccum, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carnal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French carnel, charnel, from Late Latin carnalis, from Latin carn-, caro flesh; akin to Greek keirein to cut — more at shear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of carnal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near carnal

Cite this Entry

“Carnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnal. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

carnal

adjective
car·​nal ˈkärn-ᵊl How to pronounce carnal (audio)
1
: of or relating to the body
2
: not spiritual : corporeal
3
carnality noun
carnally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on carnal

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