Crimbo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Crimbo" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal and colloquial.
It can be used as a playful or humorous term for Christmas, often in casual conversations or festive contexts. Example: "I'm so excited for Crimbo this year; I've already started decorating the house!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The spandex will be shinier than the crimbo tinsel!

Independent

Do say: "If the asbo is supplanted by the crimbo, I fear a whole generation of pitbulls will have to be renamed".

The Guardian

I'm all right, honestly, my faith is still intact even while uttering the words "Christmas tree", I don't break into a cold sweat on hearing the Lord's Prayer – which I've known by heart since childhood –and to let you in on a little not-well-kept secret: quite a few of us non-Christians love Crimbo.

The Guardian - Opinion

Will Firth's Mark Darcy rock another of his famous Crimbo jumpers?

The Guardian - Film

Crimbo limbo (the initially delicious lack of schedule in company of nearest and dearest, with inherent risk of boredom and crankiness) officially runs from mid Boxing Day afternoon until 3 January, but can start much earlier.

The Guardian - Books

You're under the impression that "crimbo" refers to Christmas.

The Guardian

A crimbo is a preventive ban on anyone over the age of 10, which could carry a prison sentence if breached.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

So crimbos are better than asbos?

The Guardian

But crimbos will be different?

The Guardian

The home secretary has confirmed that she wants to introduce a radical overhaul of measures to tackle antisocial behaviour including plans to replace Labour's asbos with new criminal behaviour orders – already dubbed "crimbos".

The Guardian

What difference will government plans to replace Asbos with 'Crimbos' make for the housing sector as it struggles to tackle the blight of antisocial behaviour on the UK's estates?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Crimbo" in informal contexts to create a lighthearted and festive tone. Reserve it for casual conversations or writing where a playful feel is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "Crimbo" in formal documents, business communications, or academic papers. It's too informal and may detract from the seriousness or professionalism of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Crimbo" is as a noun, specifically a proper noun, used as an alternative, informal name for Christmas. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as such and provides examples where it replaces "Christmas" in sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Crimbo" is a common, informal term for Christmas, primarily used in news and media contexts to convey a playful tone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness as a proper noun and provides examples illustrating its usage. While acceptable in casual settings, it's best to avoid "Crimbo" in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "Christmas time" or "Xmas" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Chrimbo

A very similar alternative, almost identical in meaning and usage.

Xmas

A shortened, informal version of Christmas.

Christmas time

Refers to the Christmas season, focusing on the time period.

Christmas season

A more formal way to refer to the period around Christmas.

Yuletide

An older, somewhat archaic term for the Christmas season.

Festive season

A broader term encompassing various holidays around the end of the year.

The holidays

A common and informal way to refer to the Christmas and New Year period.

Winter holidays

A general term for holidays celebrated in winter.

Noel

A festive term often associated with Christmas carols and celebrations.

Nativity

Focuses specifically on the religious aspect of Christmas, the birth of Jesus.

FAQs

What does "Crimbo" mean?

"Crimbo" is an informal and playful term for Christmas.

Is it appropriate to use "Crimbo" in formal writing?

No, "Crimbo" is best reserved for informal contexts. Use "Christmas" in formal writing.

What are some alternative words for "Crimbo"?

You can use alternatives like "Christmas time", "Christmas season" or "Xmas" depending on the context.

How can I use "Crimbo" in a sentence?

You might say, "I'm really looking forward to Crimbo this year!"