What does revelation mean?
Word: Revelation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Revelation means a surprising fact that is made known, or the act of making it known. A person or thing that turns out far better than expected can also be called a revelation.
Synonyms: disclosure, discovery, surprise
Antonyms: concealment
Word origin: From Latin revelatio, from the verb revelare, in which re- undoes the noun velum.
How do you spell revelation?
Syllables: rev - e - la - tion
Tricky part: The second vowel is e, because the word grows from reveal. The middle sound is weak, so many write revalation.
Watch out for: revalation, revilation
Memory tip: Revelation comes from reveal, and both begin r-e-v-e. Keep that second e right after the v.
Revelation in a sentence
Example 1: The old diary held a revelation: Great-grandfather had been a freedom fighter.
Example 2: The new spin bowler was the revelation of the tournament.
Example 3: It was a revelation to Priya that she could actually enjoy maths.
Fun Fact
The last book of the Christian Bible is called Revelation, though people often add an s by mistake and say Revelations.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the misspelt word:
a) escalation
b) revellation
c) elevation
d) delegation
Show answer
b) revellation. Revelation has one l, the single l of reveal.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with their meanings:
1. revelation 2. revolution 3. revaluation a. a sudden, complete change in the way a country is governed b. something hidden that suddenly comes to light c. a change in the value of something, such as a currency
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
c) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
Show answer
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c. The three look alike, but a revelation uncovers a fact, a revolution changes a government and a revaluation changes a value.
Word Tally
Give 3 marks for each correctly spelt word. How many marks does the list get?
revelation, desolation, consolasion, isolation, relaxasion
a) 6
b) 12
c) 9
d) 3
Show answer
c) 9. Consolation and relaxation need -tion, so three words score 3 marks each: 9 in all.
Back to the Roots
Choose the correct option:
Revelation comes from Latin revelare, in which re- undoes the word velum. What was a velum?
a) a veil
b) a lock
c) a lid
d) a door
Show answer
a) a veil. Velum meant a veil, so revelare was to draw the veil back and show what was hidden.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these would be a revelation?
a) hearing the school bell ring at nine o'clock
b) seeing the sun rise in the east once again
c) eating rice and dal for dinner as usual
d) finding out your quiet neighbour is a famous singer
Show answer
d) finding out your quiet neighbour is a famous singer
2. 'The young goalkeeper was a revelation' tells us that she ___.
a) surprised everyone with how well she played
b) was not picked for the final match
c) was too young to be allowed to play
d) let in more goals than in earlier games
Show answer
a) surprised everyone with how well she played
