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Definition of carnie

carnie

/ˈkɑːr.ni/
car · nie
Plural:carnies
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carnie Lexical Profile

carnie Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A person who works in a traveling carnival, amusement park, or funfair, such as a ride operator or game booth attendant.

Example

"During the summer after college, he worked as a carnie operating the Ferris wheel at county fairs."

2

North American A traveling carnival or amusement show.

Example

"The children were thrilled when the annual carnie set up its tents and rides on the edge of town."

3

North American The specialized slang or cant spoken by traveling carnival workers among themselves.

Example

"The veteran ride operators spoke in rapid carnie so that the passing customers could not understand their conversation."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for carnie

Word Nuance & Usage

Also commonly spelled "carny." While used neutrally by carnival insiders to refer to themselves and their cant, it can carry a derogatory connotation when used by outsiders.

• Rhymes for carnie

• Nearby Words

carnage
carnal
carnation
carnie
carnifex
carnitas
carnival

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in early 20th-century American slang as a diminutive shortening of "carnival" plus the suffix "-ie" (or "-y").

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Carnie. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/carnie
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