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.
“House” was first heard in a short-lived 1942 revue titled “Let Freedom Sing” but was then performed by an African-American vocal group, the Delta Rhythm Boys.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
Unlike a bachelorette party or the typical male revue, there was no giggling in the room, and no wink of camp from the performers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026
My first school production was an adaptation of “A Thurber Carnival,” a James Thurber revue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2025
The Broadway world also enjoyed Jamison’s talents as she starred in the Duke Ellington revue “Sophisticated Ladies” in 1981.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2024
The latter part of May would come the musical revue to end their season.
From Marjorie Dean, College Senior by Pauline Lester
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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.
