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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Decades later, Erika bears a carnal attraction to her Uncle Fritz (Martin Rother), an amputee who lies withering in pain in his bedroom. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025 But the texting and blocking, the free-for-all backwaters of the internet and the carnal shenanigans that color contemporary TV teendom do put a different complexion on growing up. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 Miranda, specifically, is in the middle of a three-month break from carnal knowledge. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Translating carnal attraction, magnetism, and deepening desire, Ropion says the fragrance is ripe with a flower that refuses to go unnoticed: tuberose. Essence, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for carnal

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carnal. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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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