revelatory

[ri-vel-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, rev-uh-luh-]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of revelation.

2. showing or disclosing an emotion, belief, quality, or the like (usually followed byof ).

   a poem revelatory of the author's deep, personal sorrow.

Word History and Origins

Origin of revelatory¹

1880–85; < Latin revēlāt ( us ) ( revelation ) + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

The show was revelatory of Caillebotte the artist, his society and the challenges he issued to it.

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Current and former MIT graduate students described a range of pressures to do revelatory research.

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The film’s depiction of grief has rightly been at the center of the conversation around “Hamnet,” with their revelatory performances resulting in immense Oscar buzz for both actors.

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Personally, after years with the same pillows, sliding into Downright’s plush, hand-sewn versions was nothing short of revelatory — an upgrade I hope to never live without.

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“Rediscovered Treasures” traces Ms. Sung’s efforts to research and preserve Cincinnati’s East Asian collection over the past 23 years, and while the premise may seem simple, the show feels fresh and revelatory.

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Related Words

• articulate 
• artistic 
• colorful 
• dramatic 
• eloquent 
• energetic 
• passionate 
• poignant 
• striking 
• suggestive 
• thoughtful 
• vivid