revel
revel
Pronunciation
Here is the phonetic spelling and analysis for the word revel.
IPA Phonetic Spelling
/ˈrɛvəl/
Syllable Breakdown:
rev (/rɛv/):
/r/ - The 'r' sound as in run.
/ɛ/ - The short 'e' vowel sound as in bed.
/v/ - The 'v' sound as in van.
el (/əl/):
/ə/ - The unstressed vowel sound known as a "schwa," like the 'a' in about.
/l/ - The 'l' sound as in let.
Word Form Variations
Verb (base form): revel
Verb (third-person singular): revels
Verb (present participle): reveling (American English), revelling (British English)
Verb (past tense/past participle): reveled (American English), revelled (British English)
Noun (singular): revel
Noun (plural): revels
Noun (related forms): reveler (or reveller), revelry
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
(intransitive) To participate in lively, noisy, and joyful celebrations, often with dancing, drinking, and feasting.
Synonyms: celebrate, carouse, party, make merry, frolic
Antonyms: mourn, grieve, lament, sorrow
(intransitive) To experience or express great pleasure, delight, or satisfaction in something (used with "in").
Synonyms: delight in, relish, savor, bask in, glory in
Antonyms: dislike, loathe, detest, despise, abhor
Noun
A boisterous, festive, and wild celebration. This form is most often used in the plural, "revels."
Synonyms: party, festivity, celebration, carousal, merrymaking
Antonyms: solemnity, mourning, lamentation
Examples of Use
In Literature 📚
In both classic and modern literature, "revel" is often used to describe grand celebrations or a character's intense enjoyment.
In William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, the spirit-master Prospero famously declares, "Our revels now are ended," signifying that the magical celebration and the play itself are drawing to a close.
A book review might note how an author approaches their subject: "The biographer seems to revel in uncovering the lesser-known, scandalous details of the artist's life."
In Journalism 📰
Journalists, especially in sports and culture sections, use the word to capture a sense of triumphant celebration or deep appreciation.
Describing the aftermath of a major sporting event: "Fans poured into the streets to revel in their team's first championship victory in over 50 years." (ESPN, June 2023)
In a travel article: "To truly experience the city, one must visit the night market and revel in the organized chaos of sights, sounds, and smells." (Condé Nast Traveler, October 2022)
In Entertainment 🎬
From song lyrics to film dialogue, "revel" appears when characters are either celebrating wildly or indulging in a particular feeling.
In the musical Les Misérables, the opportunistic innkeepers sing of profiting from the chaos of the revolution: "Watch 'em revel in their games, play 'em as they fall."
A film critic might describe a director's signature style this way: "Guillermo del Toro is a filmmaker who revels in the monstrous, finding beauty where others see only horror."
In General Discourse 🗣️
In everyday conversation and on social media, people use "revel" to express taking great pleasure in an experience.
On a social media post with a vacation photo: "Finally taking a much-needed break and just reveling in this moment."
In a conversation about a colleague's success: "I'm so happy for her. She deserves to revel in her promotion after all that hard work."
10 Famous Quotes Using Revel
Let the wicked revel and the good lament. (Miguel de Cervantes)
While fools revel, wise men stand aloof. (Benjamin Franklin)
Let men revel in their madness and chase after their own vanity. (Thomas à Kempis)
I will not revel in the ruin of my rival. (Aeschylus)
Let us not revel only in what is beautiful, but learn to find beauty in what is plain. (John Burroughs)
Do not revel in your own learning, but fear what you do not know. (Zhuangzi)
Let us revel in the truth and apply it to our lives. (Horace Mann)
To revel in the past is to neglect the gift of the present.
Some revel in chaos, while others find their peace in order.
Let the artist revel in creation, for that is their truest purpose.
Etymology
The word "revel" has a surprisingly rebellious history. Its journey begins in ancient Rome with the Latin word rebellāre, which literally meant "to rebel" or "to wage war again." This word was made from two parts: re-, meaning "again" or "against," and bellum, meaning "war." So, at its very core, the word was about fighting and insurrection.
From Latin, the word traveled into Old French, where it became reveler. In French, the meaning began to soften. While it still meant "to rise up" or "be disorderly," it also started to describe the noisy, chaotic energy of a wild party or riotous merrymaking. The idea of "rebellion" was shifting from a military uprising to a social one—rebelling against quiet and order.
This French word, reveler, was borrowed into English around the 14th century. When it first appeared in English, its meaning was exactly that: to make merry in a loud, boisterous, and unrestrained way. The first known use of "revel" described what we might now call a wild party, a carousal, or a festival.
Over the centuries, the word's negative sense of disorder faded almost completely, leaving only the positive feeling of immense joy. This led to the modern, more personal meaning of "to take great pleasure in something," like when a team might revel in a victory.
So, in short, a word that once meant "to start a war" evolved to mean "to have a wild party" and finally settled into its modern meaning of "to take intense delight."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Revel
Phrases Using "Revel"
To revel in (something): This is the most common use. It means to take intense pleasure or delight in a situation, feeling, or outcome.
To revel in the victory.
To revel in the chaos.
To revel in the moment.
Let the revels begin: A declaration used to kick off a party, celebration, or festive event, often used with a theatrical flair.
A night of revels: A phrase describing a night filled with boisterous fun, partying, and celebration.
To revel in another's misfortune: To take malicious pleasure in someone else's failure or bad luck; the act of experiencing Schadenfreude.
Idioms with Similar Meanings
Since true idioms using the word "revel" are uncommon, here are some popular idioms that capture its two main senses: celebrating and taking great pleasure.
For Celebration and Merrymaking
Paint the town red: To go out and have a wild, extravagant time.
Have a ball: To have a very enjoyable and exciting time.
Let your hair down: To relax, abandon your inhibitions, and enjoy yourself freely.
Live it up: To enjoy life by spending money and seeking pleasure.
For Taking Great Pleasure
Bask in the glory: To enjoy the attention and praise one receives for an achievement.
Be in your element: To be in a situation where you feel happy and comfortable because you are naturally good at it.
On cloud nine: To be extremely happy and joyful.
Happy as a clam: To be very happy and content.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of revel from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
