revelry
Americannoun
-
revelries
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of revelry
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at revel, -ry
Explanation
Revelry is a wild, fun time. If you enjoy the revelry of a New Year's Eve party, you might pay for partying hard the next day. The noun revelry means merrymaking, but because it comes from the French word reveler meaning to rebel, its tone indicates carousing or noisy partying. It's not your grandparents' tame, sedate cocktail party: revelry is a full-throttle festive gathering, where people outwardly enjoy themselves. In fact, a wild party was once called a "revel," though you don't hear that term used much today.
Vocabulary lists containing revelry
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Notting Hill Carnival has celebrated its 60th anniversary with three days of revelry fuelled by drummers, dancers and colourful costumes.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026
A new collection of Eve Babitz’s largely unsent correspondence, “Too L.A.,” resurrects the cult writer’s singular voice — and revelry.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
In some caves where enlightened paradise is depicted, it’s utopic: singers and dancers prancing in revelry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
The beauty of this show is that Waters and his producers focused on history’s unsung heroes or the lesser-known feats of famous ones with an infectious, besotted revelry that frequently inspired further research.
From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2026
“Now, now! The revelry is supposed to happen over dinner! No fair starting without me!”
From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz
He eschews counterpoint — there are no “Messiah” revelries of intersecting parts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 24, 2021
Puritan efforts to crack down on Christmas revelries in England before 1620 had little impact.
From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2020
The coronavirus may have silenced traditional revelries for the Fourth of July, but officials and others still aim to celebrate the country’s birthday using creativity, technology and safety.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 2, 2020
Both festive enough for Louisiana’s pre-Lenten revelries and simple enough to make any other time of the year.
From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2014
I would fain have to describe the boisterous and happy revelries that used to ensue upon these scenes, and should do still.
From Mirror of the Months by Peter George Patmore
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
