rave

¹ American  

[reyv] / reɪv /

verb (used without object)

raved, raving

1. to talk wildly, as in delirium.

   Synonyms:

   rhapsodize, gush, enthuse, storm, rant, rage, jabber, babble

2. to talk or write with extravagant enthusiasm.

   She raved about her trip to Europe.

3. (of wind, water, storms, etc.) to make a wild or furious sound; rage.

---

verb (used with object)

raved, raving

1. to utter as if in madness.

noun

1. an act of raving.

2. an extravagantly enthusiastic appraisal or review of something.

3. a dance party featuring electronic dance music arranged by a disc jockey and a light show or other visual effects, and typically characterized by amphetamine and psychedelic drug use.

   They have these all-night raves in a field just outside the city limits.

4. British Informal. a boisterous party, especially a dance.

   We hung pretty party lights and invited everyone who lived in the building to our rooftop rave.

adjective

1. extravagantly flattering or enthusiastic.

   rave reviews of a new play.

rave ² American  

[reyv] / reɪv /

noun

1. a vertical sidepiece of a wagon or other vehicle.

---

rave ¹ British  

/ reɪv /

verb

1. to utter (something) in a wild or incoherent manner, as when mad or delirious

2. (intr) to speak in an angry uncontrolled manner

3. (intr) (of the sea, wind, etc) to rage or roar

4. informal (intr; foll by over or about) to write or speak (about) with great enthusiasm

5. slang (intr) to enjoy oneself wildly or uninhibitedly

---

noun

1. informal

   1. enthusiastic or extravagant praise

   2. ( as modifier )

      a rave review

2. slang

   1. Also called: rave-up.  a party

   2. a professionally organized party for young people, with electronic dance music, sometimes held in a field or disused building

3. slang a fad or fashion

   the latest rave

4. a name given to various types of dance music, such as techno, that feature fast electronic rhythm

rave ² British  

/ reɪv /

noun

1. a vertical sidepiece on a wagon

---

rave Idioms  

1. see rant and rave; stark raving mad.

---

Other Word Forms

• raver noun

Etymology

Origin of rave¹

First recorded in 1325–75; 1915–25 rave ¹ for def. 2; 1960–65 rave ¹ for def. 8; 1985–90 rave ¹ for def. 7; Middle English verb raven, probably from Middle French resver “to wander, be delirious”; further origin uncertain

Origin of rave²

First recorded in 1520–30; origin obscure; probably an alteration of dialect rathe “rail or shaft on a cart”

Example Sentences

Baron Something-or-Other is raving again about trolls in The Eastern Woods.

From Literature

One SCiLL class she raved about in particular has also attracted considerable ire.

From The Wall Street Journal

Head coach John Wroblewski raved about early practices in Lake Placid, when he’d give the team instructions, and the players asked for more, more, more.

From The Wall Street Journal

His round face, his coffee-brown eyes, his rave black mess of curls, his light brown skin.

From Literature

While speaking to the press after the Grammys, she raved about how lucky we are to have a musical leader like Bad Bunny speak up for “what is true and what is right.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• babble
• freak out
• fume
• go crazy
• rant