Revelation

ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃən

nounmedium📊CommonLiterature
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

The act of revealing or disclosing something previously unknown; a surprising and informative disclosure.

ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃən

nounneutralmedium
Literature

A surprising and previously unknown fact.

The author's book offers a powerful revelation about human nature.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're reading a mystery novel, and then BAM! You find out the killer's identity. That 'aha' moment? That's a revelation!

👶 For kids: When you find out something super secret that you didn't know before!

More Examples

2

The report provided a shocking revelation regarding the company's financial practices.

3

His sudden departure from the firm was a revelation to his colleagues.

How It's Used

Politics

"The whistleblower's revelation about government corruption shocked the nation."

History

"The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls was a major revelation about ancient Judaism."

2

A divine communication or disclosure; a supernatural manifestation of knowledge or truth.

ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃən

nounpositiveAdvanced
Academic

A divine or supernatural disclosure of knowledge.

Religious texts often describe moments of divine revelation.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking through the desert and suddenly a wise old spirit appears and tells you the secret of the universe. That is a revelation.

👶 For kids: When God tells someone a secret that's really important!

More Examples

2

The experience was a personal revelation, changing her worldview.

3

The book of Revelation in the Bible is a prophetic text.

How It's Used

Religion

"The prophet claimed to have received a revelation from God."

Literature

"The novel explores themes of spiritual revelation and enlightenment."

Tip:Think of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments.
3

A striking disclosure of something previously unknown or mysterious.

ˌrɛvəˈleɪʃən

nounpositivemedium
General

An illuminating or astonishing discovery or realization.

The theory offered a revelation about the nature of reality.

💡 Simply: It is like, all of a sudden, when the lights go on in your brain, and everything makes sense.

👶 For kids: When something you didn't know suddenly becomes clear and you understand it!

More Examples

2

She experienced a sudden revelation about her life's purpose.

3

The new information provided a revelation about how the universe works.

How It's Used

Psychology

"The therapy session provided a revelation for the patient about their past trauma."

Science

"The scientific study provided a groundbreaking revelation."

Tip:Think of the 'Eureka!' moment.

Idioms & expressions

The Book of Revelation

The last book of the New Testament in the Bible, containing prophetic visions.

"He studied the Book of Revelation to understand the end times."

A moment of revelation

A sudden understanding or insight; a point of realization.

"The therapy session was a moment of revelation for her."

From Late Latin *revelatio*, meaning "unveiling," from the verb *revelare* "to reveal," which comes from *re-* (intensive prefix) + *velare* "to veil."

The word 'revelation' has been used since the 14th century, primarily within religious and philosophical contexts.

Memory tip

Think of pulling back a curtain to see something amazing for the first time.

Word Origin

LanguageLate Latin
Original meaning

""unveiling" or "disclosure""

divine revelationmoment of revelationshocking revelationrevelation aboutrevelation of

Common misspellings

revalationrevelasionrevelaiton

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written