Definition

Noun: A wild, noisy, and unrestrained celebration or party characterized by excessive drinking of alcohol and often by other forms of hedonistic or promiscuous behavior.

Usage

• drunken revelry is used as a singular noun to describe a specific event or instance of such behavior.
• It often implies a loss of control, loud noise, and a lack of restraint.
• It is a formal or literary term, often carrying a negative or disapproving tone.

Examples

• The quiet neighborhood was disturbed by the sounds of drunken revelry coming from the fraternity house.
• The police were called to break up the drunken revelry that had spilled out into the street.
• The novel describes the drunken revelry of the court, contrasting it with the poverty of the common people.

Advanced Usage

• "to descend into drunken revelry": to transition from a normal or controlled state into a wild party.
  • The formal dinner eventually descended into drunken revelry.
• "scenes of drunken revelry": used to describe vivid or chaotic images of such parties.
  • The tabloids published photos showing scenes of drunken revelry at the celebrity wedding.

Variants and Related Words

• Revelry (n): Lively and noisy festivities, especially when these involve dancing, drinking, and a party atmosphere. (This is the core word without the specific implication of drunkenness).
• Revel (n/v): As a noun, it means a lively and noisy festivity. As a verb, it means to enjoy oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing.
• Carousal (n): A noisy, lively drinking party. (A close synonym).
• Debauchery (n): Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures, especially involving sex, alcohol, or drugs. (A stronger, more extreme term often encompassing drunken revelry).

Synonyms

• Carousal
• Debauch
• Bacchanal
• Orgy (can be more extreme, specifically sexual)
• Spree (as in "drinking spree")

Antonyms

• Sobriety
• Abstinence
• Temperance
• Solemnity

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To paint the town red": To go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly, especially by drinking and partying in various places. (This idiom describes the activity, while drunken revelry often describes the scene or event itself).
  • After their final exams, the students went out to paint the town red.

Noun

1. a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity