Revel Meaning
/ˈɹɛv.əl/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn instance of merrymaking; a celebration.
nounA kind of dance.
Sentence Examples
I am too sick at heart to revel, carouse, and make merry through the night.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The entire team gathered to ____ in their hard-earned victory at the party.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The students began to ____ in their success, celebrating long into the night after the results were announced.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English revelen, from Old French revel, from reveler (“to be disorderly, to make merry”), from Latin rebello (“to rebel”). Doublet of rebel.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Our revels now are ended."
— 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
""I ought to arise and go forth with timbrels and with dances; but, do you know, I am not inclined to revels? There has been a little—just a very little bit too much festivity so far …. Not that I don't adore dinners and gossip and dances; not that I do not love to pervade bright and glittering places.[…]""
— 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter II, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
"[…] so they might spend the livelong day as befitteth high holiday, in pleasure and action without care, and thereafter revel in the lofty presence chamber till night grew old with eating and drinking and all delight."
— 1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 7:
"Slowing down doesn't have to feel like holding back. It can be an opportunity to revel in sounds and sensations, to not be so concerned about where we are going but to enjoy the moment and become comfortable where we are."
— 1997, The Art of Practicing, a Guide to Making Music from the Heart:
"It then revelleth and drawethe backe agayne those humors which concurre towardes the Eyes."
— 1597, A. M., The Frenche chirurgerye, translation of original by Jacques Guilleameau:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The entire team gathered to ____ in their hard-earned victory at the party.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The students began to ____ in their success, celebrating long into the night after the results were announced.