revenge
Revenge (noun) means Harm done to someone in return for a wrong they committed against you. Example: “She swore revenge on the colleague who had taken credit for her work.”
How to use revenge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting back at someone who wronged you.
As a verb, "revenge" sounds old-fashioned or literary — in everyday speech people usually say "avenge" or "get revenge on/for" instead.
Word forms
revenged past tense, revenges plural, revenges singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She swore _____ on the colleague who had taken credit for her work.
Etymology
From Old French revengier/revenchier, ultimately from Latin vindicare — the same root that gives "vengeance" and "avenge".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for revenge
See all rhymes for revenge →Frequently asked questions
What does “revenge” mean?
The word “revenge” means harm done to someone in return for a wrong they committed against you. In plain terms, getting back at someone who wronged you.
How do you pronounce “revenge”?
“Revenge” is pronounced ruh-VEHNJ (/ɹəˈvɛnd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “revenge” in a sentence?
Here is “revenge” used in a sentence: “She swore revenge on the colleague who had taken credit for her work.”
What is another word for “revenge”?
Words with a similar meaning to “revenge” include avenge, payback, reprisal, retaliation, requital and retribution.
What part of speech is “revenge”?
Depending on how it is used, “revenge” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “revenge” come from?
The word “revenge” comes from Latin. From Old French revengier/revenchier, ultimately from Latin vindicare — the same root that gives "vengeance" and "avenge".
Is “revenge” a common word?
“Revenge” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “revenge” have?
“Revenge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: harm done to someone in return for a wrong they committed against you.
What is the difference between revenge and avenge?
"Revenge" is chiefly a noun meaning harm done in return for a wrong, though it can be a verb. "Avenge" is a verb meaning to take just retribution on behalf of someone wronged; you avenge a person or a wrong, but you take revenge.
What is the difference between revenge and vengeance?
Both refer to harm inflicted in return for a wrong. "Revenge" is the more everyday word and works as a noun or verb, while "vengeance" is more formal and intense, often suggesting punishment delivered with strong emotion.
What is the difference between revenge and justice?
Revenge is personal harm returned for a wrong, driven by the wish to get even. Justice is the fair, impartial treatment of a wrong, usually delivered through accepted rules or the law rather than personal retaliation.
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