revel

1 of 2

verb

rev·​el ˈre-vəl 

reveled or revelled; reveling or revelling ˈre-və-liŋ 

ˈrev-liŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to take part in a revel : carouse

2

: to take intense pleasure or satisfaction

reveled in the quiet after everyone had gone

revel

2 of 2

noun

: a usually wild party or celebration

Synonyms

Verb

• binge
• birl [chiefly Scottish]
• carouse
• roister
• wassail

Noun

• binge
• fling
• frisk
• frolic
• gambol
• idyll
• idyl
• lark
• ploy
• rollick
• romp
• spree

Examples of revel in a Sentence

Verb

reveling all night is not conducive to a productive next day at work

Noun

in Finland, Midsummer Day ushers in a nationwide revel as the Finns celebrate the endless hours of sunlight with bonfires and parties

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Some viewers saw the videos as evidence of the absurdity of global e-commerce run amok; some even reveled at the return of an iconic American crime. —Malia Wollan, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024

In the summer, travelers revel under the midnight sun that never sets. —Jake Emen, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French reveler, literally, to rebel, from Latin rebellare

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing revel

• revel in

Kids Definition

revel

1 of 2 verb

rev·​el ˈrev-əl 

reveled or revelled; reveling or revelling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to take part in a revel : be noisy in a festive manner

2

: to take great delight in something

reveler noun

or reveller

-(ə-)lər

revel

2 of 2 noun

: a noisy or merry celebration