revival

revival — noun

1. a return to a stronger, more active, or more popular state after a period of dec

1.nounB2
Definition

a return to a stronger, more active, or more popular state after a period of decline — used for economies, traditions, interests, businesses, and cultural practices that recover from a weaker condition

Example

The revival of hand-made furniture has brought new jobs to the town.

collocation: revival of [activity]

Eshe noticed a surprising revival of interest in letter writing among her students.

Common collocations
  • revival of interest
  • revival of the economy
  • revival of traditions
  • economic revival
  • spark a revival
  • stage a revival
  • experience a revival
  • remarkable revival
Synonyms
  • resurgence

    More dramatic, suggesting something rises again powerfully after near-disappearance

  • comeback

    Informal; used especially for popularity or success after a period of failure

  • renewal

    Emphasizes starting fresh or making something new again, not just returning to a previous state

Antonyms
  • decline

    A gradual loss of strength or popularity

  • downturn

    A drop in economic or business activity

Usage Note

Frequently followed by 'of + noun phrase' to specify what is being revived, e.g., revival of interest, revival of the economy, revival of traditions.

Common Mistakes

The patient's revival was slow after the surgery.
The patient's recovery was slow after the surgery.
'revival' refers to renewed activity or popularity, not medical recovery from illness.

2. a new staging of a theatrical piece that returns to the stage after a long absen

2.nounB2
Definition

a new staging of a theatrical piece that returns to the stage after a long absence from public performance — applies to plays, musicals, and other stage shows

Example

The National Theatre's revival of the 1950s play received excellent reviews from critics.

collocation: revival of [play]

Yael bought tickets to see the revival of a classic musical at the Grand Theatre.

Common collocations
  • Broadway revival
  • revival of a play
  • revival of a musical
  • stage a revival
  • theatrical revival
Synonyms
  • remake

    Used for films and television, not typically for live theatre

  • restaging

    More literal; focuses on the act of putting the show on stage again

3. an outbreak of fresh religious enthusiasm in a community, typically marked by sp

3.nounC1
Definition

an outbreak of fresh religious enthusiasm in a community, typically marked by special meetings that aim to deepen people's faith and commitment

Example

The revival meeting drew large crowds of families from several nearby villages.

collocation: revival meeting

Haruto attended a religious revival that lasted three days and nights.

Common collocations
  • revival meeting
  • religious revival
  • revival events
  • revival movement
  • spiritual revival
  • revival of faith
  • hold a revival
  • attend a revival
Synonyms
  • awakening

    Emphasizes a spiritual awakening of individuals or communities; often used in historical religious contexts

  • resurgence

    General term for renewed activity, but can apply to religious interest without the organized-event meaning

Antonyms
  • secularization

    The process by which religion loses social and cultural influence

Usage Note

In Christian contexts, this term can refer either to a historical period of widespread religious renewal or to planned events intended to inspire renewed faith in a congregation.

Word family

  • revive
    verbB2
  • reviving
    adjectiveC1
  • revivalist
    nounC1
  • revivalism
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These four words all describe something returning to a better or more active state after a period of weakness, but they differ in tone and scope. Revival is the broadest term, covering economies, traditions, interests, and cultural practices — it suggests a return to strength and activity in a neutral-to-positive way. Resurgence carries a more dramatic force, implying a powerful rising again after near-disappearance, often used for political movements or diseases. Comeback is informal and tends to focus on personal or popular success, as in an athlete returning to form or a fashion trend returning. Renewal emphasizes starting fresh or making something new, not just going back to an earlier state — it adds a sense of transformation. For example, we talk about an economic revival (return to growth), a resurgence of nationalism (forceful return), a pop star's comeback (informal personal return), and urban renewal (rebuilding and transformation).

revival ↗resurgencecomebackrenewal ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • stage a revival
  • spark a revival
  • undergo a revival
  • lead a revival
  • experience a revival

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Revival was formed in the 1600s from the verb revive, which came into English through Old French revivre, from Latin revivere — 'to live again' (re- 'again' + vivere 'to live'). The noun originally meant 'return to life or consciousness' before extending to renewed activity (18th century), theatrical restaging (19th century), and religious renewal movements (early 18th century).