revelry

noun

rev·​el·​ry ˈre-vəl-rē How to pronounce revelry (audio)
Synonyms of revelry
: noisy partying or merrymaking

Examples of revelry in a Sentence

Each city has its own Carnival, but none, not even the revelry of Mardi Gras, is as spectacular as Brooklyn's. Peter Noel, Village Voice, 6 Sept. 1994
Wassailing is an ancient English custom, part of the feasts and revelry of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, which have been revived in Colonial Williamsburg. Joan P. Dutton, The Williamsburg Cookbook, 1975
The tall minister stood again at the altar. He waited for the song and the revelry to die. Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
The small birds were taking their farewell banquets. In the fullness of their revelry, they fluttered, chirping and frolicking from bush to bush, and tree to tree … Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, 1820
the lottery winner was exhausted after a long night of revelry
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Through scenes of gossip, frolicking and even a foot chase as cops try to shut the revelry down, Basholli introduces her setting (Prishtina, Kosovo in the late ‘90s) as though the audience were an eager participant in every conversation, and privy to the girls’ secrets. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 May 2026 Junkanoo revelry is dedicated to the dead, and here Munroe commemorates Beadle through a series of paintings depicting a memorial procession based on photographs by the Bahamian photographer Jackson Petit, as well as through Beadle’s material legacy. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 7 May 2026 The commemoration of May 5 lasts longer than a day, though, as the city throws a fair for several weeks, extending the revelry with a long lineup of artists, rides, performances, crafts exhibitions, and food. Christin Parcerisa Vigueras, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2026 The unique revelry was appropriate for the rising star who has made headlines by angering veterans with aggressive moves. ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revelry

Word History

Etymology

see revel entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of revelry was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Revelry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revelry. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

revelry

noun
rev·​el·​ry ˈrev-əl-rē How to pronounce revelry (audio)
plural revelries
: rough and noisy merrymaking

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