What does reveller mean?
A reveller is someone who joins in lively celebration, festivity, or merrymaking. The word is especially associated with parties, holidays, public celebrations, and late-night entertainment, but it can apply to anyone actively participating in a joyful occasion. It often carries a warmer and more evocative tone than the neutral word guest and can suggest enthusiasm, spontaneity, or a willingness to join in the celebration. In British English, reveller is the standard spelling, while the related form reveler is more common in American English. The word belongs to the family of revel and revelry, all of which evoke the idea of public merrymaking. Although the basic meaning is straightforward, reveller has a slightly literary or nostalgic quality, making it especially effective when describing crowds, festivals, and festive scenes in writing.
nounA person who revels, especially someone who takes part in lively celebration, festivity, or entertainment.
- A person who takes part in festive revelry or lively celebration.
"The streets filled with revellers celebrating the New Year."
"By midnight, the revellers had taken over the town square."
"She was among the revellers who stayed late to dance at the wedding reception."
The standard British plural is revellers; American English typically uses revelers.
"The revellers gathered outside to welcome the New Year."
One late-night reveller can make an entire street feel like a festival.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
How reveller is actually used
The word has a festive, celebratory tone and may sound literary or slightly old-fashioned compared with partygoer. It is standard in British English; American English more often uses the spelling reveler.
Easily confused with reveller
Reveller is the standard British spelling, while reveler is the usual American spelling; they represent the same noun.