noun
revenant
REH-vuh-nuhnt
Revenant (noun) means a spirit or reanimated corpse said to return from the dead, as in folklore or horror fiction. Example: “The film follows a revenant seeking vengeance on those who left him for dead.”
noun
1
A spirit or reanimated corpse said to return from the dead, as in folklore or horror fiction.
"The film follows a revenant seeking vengeance on those who left him for dead."
"Local legend told of a revenant that stalked the old churchyard."
2
Someone who reappears after a long absence.
"He arrived at the reunion like a revenant, unrecognisable after twenty years abroad."
How to use revenant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (usually a dead person, in folklore) that comes back.
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Word forms
- Plural
- revenants
- Comparative
- more revenant
- Superlative
- most revenant
Fill the gap
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The film follows a _____ seeking vengeance on those who left him for dead.
Etymology
Borrowed in the 19th century from French revenant, "coming back", from revenir, "to return" — the same root that gives us "revenue".
Class of 1800
revenant joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for revenant
See all rhymes for revenant →Frequently asked questions
What does “revenant” mean?
The word “revenant” means a spirit or reanimated corpse said to return from the dead, as in folklore or horror fiction. In plain terms, something (usually a dead person, in folklore) that comes back.
How do you pronounce “revenant”?
“Revenant” is pronounced REH-vuh-nuhnt (/ˈɹɛvənənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “revenant” in a sentence?
Here is “revenant” used in a sentence: “The film follows a revenant seeking vengeance on those who left him for dead.”
What part of speech is “revenant”?
“Revenant” is a noun.
Where does the word “revenant” come from?
The word “revenant” dates back to around 1800 and comes from French. Borrowed in the 19th century from French revenant, "coming back", from revenir, "to return" — the same root that gives us "revenue".
How many meanings does “revenant” have?
“Revenant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spirit or reanimated corpse said to return from the dead, as in folklore or horror fiction.
