[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/xmas/)

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# xmas

noun (Xmas — informal short form of Christmas)

«xmas» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

(informal) Xmas is a short way to write Christmas, the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, when many families give presents. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/X/xmas/#m1)

### In the lessons

Seen on cards, signs, shop windows and in text messages: «Happy Xmas», «Xmas sale». The X comes from the Greek letter chi, the first letter of Christ in Greek; it is not a modern trick. In formal writing use «Christmas».

### Examples

- Merry Xmas to all our customers! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/X/xmas/#x1)
- The Xmas tree has coloured lights. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/X/xmas/#x2)
- We wrote «Happy Xmas» on our cards. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/X/xmas/#x3)
- The shop has an Xmas sale. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/X/xmas/#x4)
- What do you want for Xmas? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/X/xmas/#x5)
- Xmas holidays are the best part of winter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/X/xmas/#x6)

### Note

Usually written with a capital X: Xmas. It is said «Christmas» (or sometimes «EX-mas»). Informal; in school writing use «Christmas». Myth: Xmas does not cross Christ out; the X is the Greek letter chi.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «xmas» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/X/xmas/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«xmas» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/xmas.html) on Mova free.