revel

[rev-uhl]

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verb (used without object), rev·eled, rev·el·ing or (especially British) rev·elled, rev·el·ling.

to take great pleasure or delight (usually followed by in): to revel in luxury.

to make merry; indulge in boisterous festivities.

noun

boisterous merrymaking or festivity; revelry.

Often revels. an occasion of merrymaking or noisy festivity with dancing, masking, etc.

Nearby words

Origin of revel

1275–1325; (v.) Middle English revelen < Old French reveler to raise tumult, make merry < Latin rebellāre to rebel; (noun) Middle English < Old French, derivative of reveler

SYNONYMS FOR revel

2. celebrate, carouse, roister, caper.

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Related formsrev·el·er; especially British, rev·el·ler, nounrev·el·ment, nounun·rev·el·ing, adjectiveun·rev·el·ling, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for revelled

It was a circle of exceptionally bright teenagers who revelled equally in wit and in culture.
Why World War I Is at the Heart of ‘Lord of the Rings’|John Garth|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rosseau, Voltaire, Byron, Goethe have revelled in the delights of its tranquil beauty and celebrated its charms in immortal words.
Nasby in Exile|David R. Locke
How we revelled in that drink as we paused at Romano's Well!
The Fifth Battalion Highland Light Infantry in the War 1914-1918|F.L. Morrison
They revelled with the most abandoned of the natives, and disease and drink ravaged the once peaceful island.
In the Wrong Paradise|Andrew Lang

She might have revelled in silks and satins, if silks and satins would have done her old heart good.
Orley Farm|Anthony Trollope
They foregathered in the streets and revelled to their hearts' content.
The Siege of Kimberley|T. Phelan

British Dictionary definitions for revelled

revel

verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled (intr)

(foll by in) to take pleasure or wallowto revel in success

to take part in noisy festivities; make merry

noun

(often plural) an occasion of noisy merrymaking

a less common word for revelry

Derived Formsreveller, nounrevelment, noun

Word Origin for revel

C14: from Old French reveler to be merry, noisy, from Latin rebellāre to revolt, rebel

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for revelled

revel

late 14c., "riotous merry-making," from Old French revel "entertainment, revelry," verbal noun from reveler "be disorderly, make merry" (see revel (v.)). Related: Revels; revel-rout.

revel

early 14c., "to feast in a noisy manner;" late 14c., "take part in revels," from Old French reveler, also rebeller "be disorderly, make merry; rebel, be riotous," from Latin rebellare "to rebel" (see rebel (v.)). The meaning "take great pleasure in" first recorded 1754. Related: Reveled; reveling; revelled; revelling.

revel

verb (used without object), rev·eled, rev·el·ing or (especially British) rev·elled, rev·el·ling.

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of revel

Examples from the Web for revelled

revel

verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled (intr)

noun

Word Origin for revel

revel

revel