revue
Americannoun
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a form of theatrical entertainment in which recent events, popular fads, etc., are parodied.
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any entertainment featuring skits, dances, and songs.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of revue
First recorded in 1870–75; from French: literally, “seen again”; see origin at review
Explanation
If you like singing and dancing, you might enjoy seeing a revue, or a theatrical show featuring a lot of performers with a variety of talents. The noun revue is somewhat old-fashioned, and this type of entertainment is more likely today to be called a "variety show." Revues were particularly popular in the early part of the 20th century, until the mid-1930s, and audiences attended them both for the funny, topical sketches as well as to see women dancing in scanty clothes. The earliest meaning of revue was "show presenting a review of current events."
Vocabulary lists containing revue
Out of the Dust
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"The Pedestrian" by Ray Bradbury
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Internment
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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.
Originally composed by Waller for a Harlem revue called “Connie’s Hot Chocolate,” it moved to Broadway with Louis Armstrong performing the rousing trumpet solo.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026
A greatest-hits revue, devised by producer Cameron Mackintosh, the celebratory show is a true embarrassment of riches.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2025
She stood out among the cast of unknowns and, on her return to London, was offered a six month stint in the revue Share My Lettuce opposite Kenneth Williams.
From BBC • Sep. 27, 2024
The aspiration to be closer in spirit to a book musical than a revue is unfulfilled in part because Velour hasn’t decided which story to focus on.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2024
As soon as the Empress had passed her revue she came up to the Tribune and took up her position directly in front, standing almost all the time.
From Letters of a Diplomat's Wife 1883-1900 by Waddington, Mary King
Definitions 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.
