rave

1
[ reyv ]
See synonyms for: raveravesravingraver on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),raved, rav·ing.

  1. to talk wildly, as in delirium.

  2. to talk or write with extravagant enthusiasm: She raved about her trip to Europe.

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

verb (used with object),raved, rav·ing.

  1. to utter as if in madness.

noun

  1. an act of raving.

  2. an extravagantly enthusiastic appraisal or review of something.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

Origin of rave

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

Other words for rave

Other words from rave

  • raver, noun

Words Nearby rave

Other definitions for rave (2 of 2)

rave2
[ reyv ]
noun

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

Origin of rave

2
First recorded in 1520–30; origin obscure; probably an alteration of dialect rathe “rail or shaft on a cart”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rave in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rave (1 of 2)

rave1

/ (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

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

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

  3. (intr) British slang to enjoy oneself wildly or uninhibitedly

noun

  1. informal

    • enthusiastic or extravagant praise

    • (as modifier): a rave review

  2. British slang

    • Also called: rave-up a party

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

  1. British slang a fad or fashion: the latest rave

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

Origin of rave

1
C14 raven, apparently from Old French resver to wander

British Dictionary definitions for rave (2 of 2)

rave2

/ (reɪv) /

noun

  1. a vertical sidepiece on a wagon

Origin of rave

2
C16: modification of dialect rathe, of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with rave

rave

see rant and rave; stark raving mad.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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