revelry
REV-ul-ree
/ˈrɛvəlri/
Lively and noisy festivities, especially those involving drinking and dancing.
Suggests energetic, boisterous, unrestrained group celebration that lasts late into the night.
The story behind the word. Surprisingly, 'revelry' shares its historic root with 'rebel'. The Old French 'reveler' meant to cause a disturbance or act riotously. Over centuries, the sense shifted from rebellious disorder to harmless, noisy party behavior.
Word relationships
- merrymaking: Merrymaking is a gentler term for cheerful festive fun, while revelry suggests wilder, louder late-night party energy.
- carousal: Carousal specifically emphasizes heavy drinking sessions, whereas revelry includes dancing, noise, and general party activity.
- sobriety: Sobriety refers to serious, calm, and alcohol-free restraint.
- quietude: Quietude represents peaceful tranquility lacking noise or tumult.
Commonly confused with
- revelation: A revelation is a surprising truth disclosed, whereas revelry is noisy, celebratory partying.
Word family
- revel (verb): To engage in lively, noisy festivities.
- reveler (noun): A person who is enjoying noisy, lively festivities.
Collocations
- midnight revelry
- night of revelry
- drunken revelry
- sounds of revelry
Idioms & expressions
- join in the revelry
Example sentences
- "There was a sound of revelry by night, and Belgium's capital had gathered then her beauty and her chivalry." Classic Literature (Lord Byron, 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' (1812))
- "The sounds of midnight revelry echoed down the narrow cobblestone streets." City Life
Memory hook
Rebels making wild noise at a party. Wild and noisy party celebration.
When not to use
Avoid using for formal, dignified, or quiet gatherings; revelry requires high energy and noisy mirth.
Fun facts
- Shakespeare frequently used 'revels' to describe the courtly song-and-dance entertainments put on by monarchs.
Also appears in
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