French word

réveillon

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁevɛjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounChristmas Eve dinner

Example

On a préparé un réveillon en famille pour Noël.

We prepared a Christmas Eve dinner as a family for Christmas.

Illustration for réveillon (Christmas Eve dinner)

More examples

Ils organisent un réveillon chez des amis chaque année.

They organize an eve feast at friends' homes every year.

Core concept

A festive table that stretches late into the night and carries on past midnight.

Common phrases

  • réveillon du Nouvel An

    New Year's Eve feast

  • réveillon chez des amis

    eve feast at friends' homes

Similar words

soirée: An evening social gathering or party with friends or acquaintances.
fête: A celebration or party where people gather for a festive occasion.
dîner: The main meal eaten in the evening, or the occasion centered on it.
repas: A shared meal, including both the occasion and the food served.

Definition in French

Repas festif qui a lieu la veille d'une fête importante, en particulier la nuit de Noël ou celle du Nouvel An, et qui se déroule souvent tard dans la soirée jusque et après minuit.

Word origin

Réveillon is formed from French réveiller, 'to wake up', because the celebration traditionally keeps people awake late; the verb ultimately relates to Latin vigilare.

Usage tips

  • Réveillon is masculine, so the usual article is le, as in le réveillon de Noël or le réveillon du Nouvel An.

Other meanings

  • New Year's Eve dinnernoun

Opposites

  • jeûnefastingnoun

Related words

  • réveillonnercelebrate with an eve feastverb

Word lists with this word