revelry
REV-uhl-ree
/ˈrɛvəlri/
Lively and noisy festivities, especially when these involve drinking a large amount of alcohol.
Implies a lack of restraint; wild, loud, and perhaps a bit chaotic.
The story behind the word. Interestingly, 'revel' comes from the same root as 'rebel.' It originally meant to riot or make a disturbance. Over time, the 'riot' became a 'party.'
Word relationships
- carousing: Carousing specifically emphasizes drinking and moving from place to place.
- sobriety: Sobriety is the state of being serious and sensible (and not intoxicated).
Commonly confused with
- celebration: Celebration is neutral; revelry is loud and often unrestrained.
Word family
- revel (verb): to enjoy oneself in a lively way
- reveler (noun): a person enjoying themselves in a noisy way
Collocations
- night of revelry
- drunken revelry
- sounds of revelry
Example sentences
- "There was a sound of revelry by night, And Belgium's capital had gather'd then Her Beauty and her Chivalry." Poetry
Memory hook
Revelry = Rebel-ry (partying like a rebel). Loud, wild fun.
When not to use
Not suitable for a quiet, dignified celebration like a graduation ceremony.
Fun facts
- The word 'revel' was once used to describe the behavior of unruly students in medieval universities.
Also appears in
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