revelrous

Revelrous is an adjective used to describe persons, behavior, or events marked by revelry—lively, boisterous, and festive merrymaking. The term implies active participation in celebration, often with loud conviviality, dancing, and reveling that may spill into public spaces.

Etymology and usage history: Revelrous is formed from the noun revel, meaning to partake in merrymaking, with the suffix -ous. The form is attested in Early Modern English and is most commonly found in historical or literary texts. In contemporary usage it remains rare and is often regarded as archaic or stylistically marked.

Usage notes: Because it is infrequent today, revelrous can sound formal or antiquated in modern prose. It is typically employed for historical settings or to evoke a particular literary tone. As a descriptor, it emphasizes the active pursuit of revelry rather than simply conveying cheerfulness, and it may not be interchangeable with more common synonyms like festive or boisterous in all contexts.

Examples: The revelrous festival filled the town with music and laughter, lasting late into the night. The revelrous crowd surged along the parade route, celebrating the victory with unrestrained enthusiasm.

Related terms and nuances: Revel and revelry are closely related concepts, focusing on the act and atmosphere of celebratory excess, while boisterous, riotous, and festive are broader or more common descriptors in modern usage. Revelrous tends to carry an antiquated or stylistic flavor when encountered in contemporary writing.