revelation

noun

rev·​e·​la·​tion ˌre-və-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: an act of revealing or communicating divine truth

b

: something that is revealed by God to humans

2

a

: an act of revealing to view or making known

b

: something that is revealed

especially : an enlightening or astonishing disclosure

shocking revelations

c

: a pleasant often enlightening surprise

her talent was a revelation

3

capitalized : an apocalyptic writing addressed to early Christians of Asia Minor and included as a book in the New Testament

called also Apocalypse

see Bible Table

Synonyms

• disclosure
• divulgence
• exposure

Examples of revelation in a Sentence

The book includes many shocking revelations about the mayor's personal life.

The revelation that she was a drug user was not a surprise to me.

Revelations by the newspaper caused a scandal.

Recent Examples on the Web

But in her new memoir, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman, the actress delves even deeper with distressing revelations, including the unwanted vaginal rejuvenation surgery performed on her in her 40s. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 9 Jan. 2025

More poignant is the revelation that, despite being the writer of dozens of anthemic love songs, Warren has no great amour of her own. —Glenn Kenny, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

But over the next several weeks, Tomlin’s decision was vindicated and Wilson was a revelation. —Mike Defabo, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025

But this was kind of a revelation and was certainly an education for me. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English revelacioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin revelation-, revelatio, from Latin revelare to reveal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing revelation

• come as a revelation
• self-revelation

Kids Definition

revelation

1 of 2 noun

rev·​e·​la·​tion ˌrev-ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an act of revealing or making known divine truth

2

a

: an act of revealing to view

b

: something that is revealed

especially : a surprising or astonishing disclosure

Revelation

2 of 2 noun

Rev·​e·​la·​tion

ˌrev-ə-ˈlā-shən

: a writing dealing with the end of the world addressed to early Christians of Asia Minor and included as a book in the New Testament see bible