Revelling vs. Reveling — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 25, 2024
Revelling is the British spelling emphasizing the act of enjoying oneself in a lively way, while Reveling, its American counterpart, focuses on similar joyful activities.
Difference Between Revelling and Reveling
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Key Differences
Revelling, primarily used in British English, connotes engaging in lively and noisy festivities, especially those involving dancing and drinking. Whereas Reveling, the preferred spelling in American English, shares the same meaning but reflects the linguistic preferences of the United States. Both terms describe the act of indulging in great pleasures but differ mainly in their spelling and regional usage.
The process of revelling often implies a sense of freedom and escape from the routine, highlighting the cultural aspect of celebration in British contexts. On the other hand, reveling captures the essence of such experiences with a spelling that aligns with American English simplifications, indicating a similar but geographically distinct appreciation for festive occasions.
Revelling can be seen in literature and writings that adhere to British standards, where it evokes the traditional imagery of celebration and communal joy. Reveling, meanwhile, is more likely to appear in texts conforming to American norms, serving the same purpose but within a different linguistic framework.
In terms of linguistic evolution, revelling retains the double 'l' characteristic of many words in British English, a reflection of its etymological roots. Reveling, however, follows the American English pattern of simplifying spellings by dropping one 'l', making it a testament to the dynamic nature of language and its adaptations across cultures.
Despite these differences, both revelling and reveling convey a universal human experience - the delight in partaking in festive activities and the collective joy that comes from shared celebrations, proving that regardless of spelling, the essence of the experience remains unchanged across English-speaking cultures.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
Double 'l'
Single 'l'
Usage
Predominantly in regions following British English conventions
Primarily in areas using American English standards
Linguistic Preference
Reflects traditional British spelling
Aligns with American English simplification norms
Cultural Connotation
Evokes traditional British imagery of celebration
Suggests a similar, but American, context of joyous activities
Literary Appearance
Common in British literature and formal writings
Frequently seen in American texts and less formal contexts
Compare with Definitions
Revelling
Engaging enthusiastically in celebrations.
They spent the night revelling in the city's vibrant festival.
Reveling
Celebrating with great joy and enthusiasm.
They were reveling in their team's victory.
Revelling
Participating in noisy festivities.
The streets were filled with people revelling under the moonlight.
Reveling
Indulging in festive activities.
The city was alive with people reveling during the holiday season.
Revelling
Immersing oneself in a pleasurable activity.
He was revelling in the complexities of the new game.
Reveling
Taking delight in something.
She reveled in the beauty of the sunset.
Revelling
Expressing or showing joyous celebration.
The painting depicted a scene of revelling at the carnival.
Reveling
Participating in lively and noisy parties.
College students were reveling all night long.
Revelling
Taking great pleasure in something.
She was revelling in her newfound freedom.
Reveling
Enjoying oneself without restraint.
He reveled in the freedom of the open road.
Revelling
To take great pleasure or delight
She reveled in her unaccustomed leisure.
Reveling
To take great pleasure or delight
She reveled in her unaccustomed leisure.
Revelling
To engage in uproarious festivities; make merry.
Reveling
To engage in uproarious festivities; make merry.
Revelling
A boisterous festivity or celebration; merrymaking.
Reveling
A boisterous festivity or celebration; merrymaking.
Revelling
Present participle of revel
Reveling
Present participle of revel
Revelling
A revel.
Reveling
A revel.
Common Curiosities
Is the meaning of revelling and reveling different?
No, the meanings are the same; both refer to engaging in lively and noisy festivities.
Can revelling and reveling be used interchangeably?
Yes, they can be used interchangeably based on the regional spelling preferences.
Why does British English use "revelling" while American English uses "reveling"?
British English retains the original spelling with double 'l', while American English often simplifies spellings, in this case, dropping one 'l'.
Where is "reveling" more commonly used?
In the United States and other areas that use American English.
Can "revelling" appear in American publications?
It can, but it is less common and may be stylistic or to reflect British characters or settings.
Is one spelling more correct than the other?
No, the choice between "revelling" and "reveling" depends on the regional language convention.
Where would you commonly find "revelling" used?
In regions that follow British English conventions, such as the UK and Commonwealth countries.
How should writers choose between "revelling" and "reveling"?
Writers should choose based on the primary audience of their work and the regional spelling standards.
Can the spelling "reveling" be found in British English texts?
It's possible, especially in modern texts influenced by American English, but it's less traditional.
What is the main difference between revelling and reveling?
The main difference is the spelling, where "revelling" is British English and "reveling" is American English.
Is the use of "revelling" in American English considered an error?
Not necessarily an error, but it may be marked as a variant spelling or stylistic choice.
Does the use of "revelling" or "reveling" affect the pronunciation?
No, both words are pronounced the same despite the spelling difference.
Does the choice between "revelling" and "reveling" influence the tone of a text?
It might subtly signal to readers the intended regional voice or setting, but it does not significantly affect the tone.
Are there other words that follow a similar British/American spelling difference?
Yes, many words, like "travelling/traveling" or "labelling/labeling", follow a similar pattern.
Why do English spelling variations like this exist?
Variations often arise from historical spelling conventions, simplifications, and the natural evolution of the language in different regions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
