Meaning & use
revel
Last updated
Meanings
verbintransitive
To enjoy something very much, often in an open and lively way.
Grammar: No object; takes in: revel in the attention.
Patterns
- revel in something
She reveled in the praise of her friends.
The kids reveled in the first snow.
verbintransitiveliterary
To celebrate noisily, in a lively party.
Grammar: No object; often with into the night.
Patterns
- revel until something
Guests reveled until dawn.
The crowds reveled in the streets.
nounusually pluralliteraryold-fashioned
A noisy, lively celebration.
Grammar: Often plural: the revels.
Patterns
- the revels
The revels lasted all night.
They joined the festival revels.
Word forms
| third person singular | revels |
|---|---|
| past tense | reveled |
| past participle | reveled |
| -ing form | reveling |
| plural | revels |
Common combinations
- revel in
- He revels in the spotlight.
- revel in the attention
- She reveled in the attention.
- revel in freedom
- They reveled in freedom.
- revel all night
- They reveled all night.
Synonyms and how they differ
- delight
- Often takes in too, but is milder.
- bask
- Suggests soaking up admiration or warmth.
- celebrate
- A plain, general word.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: revel or rebel? revel or revile?
revel vs rebel
Rebel means to resist authority.
revel vs revile
Revile means to criticize abusively.
Practice
The champion ___ the cheers of the crowd.
Choose one answer.
Revel takes in before the thing enjoyed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “revel”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.