What does revelation mean?
A revelation is something that becomes known after being hidden, obscure, or unexpected. The word commonly describes news or information that has a striking effect: a new explanation of an event, a disclosure about a person, or a fact that overturns earlier assumptions. It can also refer to a moment when someone suddenly understands something important, though “epiphany” may express that personal-insight sense more clearly. In religious contexts, revelation means knowledge or truth communicated through divine inspiration or manifestation. The word derives from Latin and has long been associated with both disclosure and sacred knowledge. The biblical book Revelation has made the term especially memorable, connecting it with visions, prophecy, and the end times. In ordinary conversation, “a major revelation” suggests information that was concealed or genuinely surprising rather than a routine announcement.
An act of disclosing or making known something that had been hidden or unknown, especially information that significantly changes understanding.
"The document was a major revelation about the origins of the conflict."
Often used for information that is unexpected, important, or previously concealed.
A surprising event or piece of information that reveals a hidden truth or changes someone's understanding.
"The empty room was a revelation: someone had been living there in secret."
This sense emphasizes the effect of the discovery on people's understanding.
In religious contexts, knowledge or truth made known through divine inspiration or manifestation.
"The prophet understood the commandments as a divine revelation."
This is a formal religious use and may describe sacred knowledge communicated by God or another divine source.
Plural forms commonly refer to multiple disclosures, surprising discoveries, or separate pieces of previously hidden information.
"The memoir contains several revelations about life behind the public image."
Revelation also names the biblical book that presents visions of the future, giving the ordinary word a famously apocalyptic echo.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does revelation come from?
Revelation comes through Old French from Latin revelatio, a noun formed from revelare, meaning “to disclose” or “to uncover.” The Latin verb combined re-, meaning “back” or “again,” with velum, meaning “veil,” so its original idea was uncovering what had been veiled. English adopted the word in religious contexts during the Middle English period, before it broadened to mean any disclosure of hidden or previously unknown information. Its English relatives include reveal and revelatory, which preserve the same sense of disclosure.
Related word forms
How revelation is actually used
In general use, a revelation often implies that what has been disclosed is surprising or important. In religious writing, it can refer to a direct disclosure of divine truth and may carry a formal, elevated register. The capitalized form commonly refers to the biblical book.