riv-EYE-vuhl
/ɹɪˈvaɪvəl/
revival is pronounced riv-EYE-vuhl (/ɹɪˈvaɪvəl/). A process or period of renewed interest, vitality, or activity after a decline or inactivity. In music, art, or culture, it denotes a rebirth or reinvigoration of styles, forms, or practices. The term often implies deliberate effort, planning, or renewal across a community or institution.
A process or period of renewed interest, vitality, or activity after a decline or inactivity. In music, art, or culture, it denotes a rebirth or reinvigoration of styles, forms, or practices. The term often implies deliberate effort, planning, or renewal across a community or institution.
"The theatre company announced a revival of the classic tragedy."
"After years of dormancy, the city’s cultural scene experienced a revival fueled by new investments."
"The revival of traditional crafts attracted both young and old artists."
Pronounce as re-ˈvi-vəl with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US/UK/AU rɪˈvaɪ.vəl. Break it into three syllables: re- (unstressed), VIVAL (stressed). Your mouth starts with a light /r/, then a short /ɪ/ or /ɪə/ quality leading into /ˈvaɪ/ (the diphthong /aɪ/ as in ‘eye’), and finishes with /vəl/ where /əl/ is a short, muted schwa plus l. Keep the final consonant light and the /v/ voiced clearly.
Common errors include placing stress on the first syllable (ri-), mispronouncing the diphthong /aɪ/ as a pure /i:/, and softening the final /l/ into an /ɫ/ or omitting the final schwa. Correct by stressing the second syllable: rɪ-ˈvaɪ.vəl; ensure the /aɪ/ retains its edge, and finish with a light /əl/ rather than a heavy L. Practice by saying ‘re-’ quickly, then pause before the emphasized ‘vi’ and finish with a crisp /əl/.
US/UK/AU share the same primary stress on the second syllable: re-ˈvi-val. The main differences are vowel qualities: US tends to have a pure /ɪ/ in the first syllable and a tighter /ˈvaɪ/; UK often has slightly shorter /ɪ/ and a more clipped ending; AU tends toward a slightly less rhotic /r/ influence and a softer /ɫ/ at the end in rapid speech. Overall, the rhythm and stress pattern remain steady across accents.
The difficulty centers on accurate articulation of the second-syllable diphthong /aɪ/ within a three-syllable word and the final /əl/ which can slide toward a dark L or absorb into a schwa in rapid speech. Keeping the middle syllable clearly stressed while avoiding a glottal stop or /ɪ/ mispronunciation is key. Use slow practice to lock the /ˈvaɪ/ portion, then add the light final /əl/ for natural rhythm.
There are no silent letters in revival. Each syllable carries a distinct vowel sound: /r/ onset, /ɪ/ or /ɪə/ in the first vowel, /aɪ/ in the second syllable nucleus, and /ə/ plus /l/ at the end. The challenge is not silent letters but precise vowel sequencing and the sharp secondary syllable boundary. Visual cues, like breaking the word into three beats (re- /ˈvi/ /val/), help ensure you pronounce every segment.
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Revival comes from the Old French revival (re- ‘again’ + vivre ‘to live’), ultimately from Latin vivere ‘to live.’ The word entered English via late Middle English, retaining the core sense of ‘to live again’ or ‘to bring back to life.’ The prefix re- signals repetition or return, while -ival from French -ivale carries the sense of action or result. Historically, revival evolved from metaphoric uses in religious revival meetings to broader secular applications such as art, fashion, and institutions experiencing renewed vigor. The term gained traction in 19th- and 20th-century contexts when cultural movements framed themselves as revivals of earlier styles or values. Beyond culture, revival has also been used in medicine to describe renewed activity in organs or systems, but its most common modern use remains cultural and organizational renewal.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "revival" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "revival" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "revival"
-val sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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