revelry

noun

rev·​el·​ry ˈre-vəl-rē How to pronounce revelry (audio)
Synonyms of revelry
: noisy partying or merrymaking

Examples of revelry in a Sentence

Each city has its own Carnival, but none, not even the revelry of Mardi Gras, is as spectacular as Brooklyn's. Peter Noel, Village Voice, 6 Sept. 1994
Wassailing is an ancient English custom, part of the feasts and revelry of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, which have been revived in Colonial Williamsburg. Joan P. Dutton, The Williamsburg Cookbook, 1975
The tall minister stood again at the altar. He waited for the song and the revelry to die. Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
The small birds were taking their farewell banquets. In the fullness of their revelry, they fluttered, chirping and frolicking from bush to bush, and tree to tree … Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, 1820
the lottery winner was exhausted after a long night of revelry
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Pines, for instance, is noted for gay revelry amid geometrically precise houses by Horace Gifford, Harry Bates, and other important modernist architects. Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 8 June 2026 Social feeds overflowed with videos of blue-and-orange revelry. Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 June 2026 The revelry was kept hidden within the picturesque setting of Villa Valguarnera in Bagheria. Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 7 June 2026 Additionally, Cambodian funerals and weddings, which are often hosted at home, can involve early morning prayers and late-night revelry that neighbors are sure to hear. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for revelry

Word History

Etymology

see revel entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of revelry was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Revelry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revelry. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

revelry

noun
rev·​el·​ry ˈrev-əl-rē How to pronounce revelry (audio)
plural revelries
: rough and noisy merrymaking

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