revel

revel — verb

1. to join with others in loud, energetic festivities such as dancing and drinking,

1.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to join with others in loud, energetic festivities such as dancing and drinking, typically during a celebration or out in public

Example

Beatriz and her friends revelled late into the night after winning the tournament.

revel + 'late into the night' time phrase

The streets were filled with people revelling during the annual Lantern Festival.

passive: streets were filled with people revelling

Common collocations
  • revel until dawn
  • revel all night
  • revel in the streets
Synonyms
  • carouse

    more formal and dated, specifically implies heavy drinking

  • celebrate

    broader and more neutral, covers any occasion-marking activity

  • party

    informal, describes attending or hosting a party

Antonyms
  • mourn

    expressing sorrow rather than joy in a group setting

Grammar Patterns

revel + adverb/prepositional phrase

Usage Note

This sense describes loud, energetic celebration in a group setting. It is typically used without a direct object and is often followed by a phrase indicating when or where the celebration takes place.

Common Mistakes

The children revelled in the birthday party all afternoon.' (when meaning celebrated noisily)
The children revelled at the birthday party all afternoon.
'revel in' belongs to the 'take delight in' sense, not the 'celebrate noisily' sense.

2. to feel great enjoyment or satisfaction from a particular activity, experience,

2.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to feel great enjoyment or satisfaction from a particular activity, experience, or situation, especially one that other people might find unusual or difficult

Example

Adaeze revelled in the challenge of learning a third language at the age of fifty.

revel in + noun phrase (the challenge of...)

The toddler revelled in the attention she received from her visiting grandparents.

revel in + noun phrase (attention)

Common collocations
  • revel in the spotlight
  • revel in the moment
  • revel in success
  • revel in attention
Synonyms
  • delight in

    similar meaning, slightly less intense

  • bask in

    suggests enjoying attention or praise rather than an activity

  • relish

    emphasises savouring or anticipating something with pleasure

  • luxuriate in

    more literary, suggests indulging in physical or sensual pleasure

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

revel in + noun phrase

revel in + verb-ing

Usage Note

This sense always takes the preposition 'in', forming the pattern 'revel in something'. The object is typically an activity, experience, or emotional state that brings the subject deep satisfaction. Unlike sense 1, the focus is on inner pleasure rather than outward group celebration.

Common Mistakes

She revels the beautiful sunset.
She revels in the beautiful sunset.
The preposition 'in' is required after 'revel' when expressing enjoyment or delight.
Phrasal verbs

revel in

phrasal verb

To enjoy something very much, often in a lively way.

Maya reveled in the applause after her piano performance.

Does Brian revel in solving complex math problems?

revel — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

While all four words describe festive activities, 'revel' emphasises the noisy, energetic, and uninhibited nature of the celebration — often with dancing and drinking in a group setting. 'Carouse' is similar but more dated and specifically implies heavy drinking as part of the festivities. 'Celebrate' is the broadest and most neutral, covering any occasion-marking activity from quiet dinners to loud parties. 'Party' as a verb is informal and straightforward, describing any kind of party-going without extra connotations. 'Make merry' is a dated, literary expression that suggests cheerful celebration without necessarily implying noise or wildness. For example, after a championship win a team might revel in the streets (noisy and public), while a couple might celebrate their anniversary with a quiet dinner (subdued and private).

carousecelebrate ↗party ↗make merry ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • with abandon
  • until dawn
  • into the night

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'revel' entered English from Old French 'reveler', meaning 'to be disorderly or to make merry'. This French verb derived from Latin 'rebellare', meaning 'to rebel'. The historical link between rebellion and noisy celebration reflects the idea of letting go of normal social restraints to enjoy oneself freely.