Is this a confession vs Revelation

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Is this a confession

Top 3,000 (common)

Revelation

Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Revelation
 Is this a confessionRevelation
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪz ðɪs ə kənˈfɛʃən//🇺🇸 //ɪz ðɪs ə kənˈfɛʃən//🇬🇧 /["/ˌrevəˈleɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌrevəˈleɪʃn/"]/
MeaningIs this an admission of guilt or wrongdoing?A surprising idea or piece of information that you learn.
ExampleWhen he said he was at the scene, I asked, 'Is this a confession?'The scientist's discovery was a complete revelation that changed the field of genetics.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-C1
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsmake a confession, false confession, public confessionamazing, astonishing, embarrassing, come as, prove, come, revelation about, revelation concerning, revelation for, amazing, astonishing, embarrassing, come as, prove, come, revelation about, revelation concerning, revelation for
Antonyms-concealment, misunderstanding, obscurity
Common mistakesUsing it in a sarcastic tone without context., Omitting 'a' before 'confession' in casual speech., Confusing 'confession' with 'denial'.Confused with 'revel' which means to enjoy something greatly., Using in informal contexts where a different word would be better, like 'surprise'.
Usage notesUsed in various contexts, such as legal, personal, or informal conversations. It can express curiosity or challenge someone's honesty.Used when discussing important discoveries or insights, often in religious and philosophical contexts. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing a significant realization.

See it in real clips

Is this a confession
Revelation

Frequently asked questions: Is this a confession vs Revelation

What's the difference between Is this a confession and Revelation?

Is this a confession: Is this an admission of guilt or wrongdoing? Revelation: A surprising idea or piece of information that you learn.

Which is more common: Is this a confession and Revelation?

Revelation is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Is this a confession: When he said he was at the scene, I asked, 'Is this a confession?' Revelation: The scientist's discovery was a complete revelation that changed the field of genetics.

Can I use Is this a confession and Revelation interchangeably?

Not always. Is this a confession and Revelation are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons