rave

¹ American  

[reyv] / reɪv /

verb (used without object)

raves, present (3rd person singular) raved, past participle, past raving present participle

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.

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verb (used with object)

raves, present (3rd person singular) raved, past participle, past raving present participle

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.

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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

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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

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rave Idioms  

1. see rant and rave; stark raving mad.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• raver
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• raving
  present
• raved
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• rave
  simple
• raves
  simple
• have raved
  perfect
• has raved
  perfect
• am raving
  progressive
• are raving
  progressive
• is raving
  progressive
• have been raving
  perfect progressive
• has been raving
  perfect progressive

Past

• raved
  simple
• had raved
  perfect
• was raving
  progressive
• were raving
  progressive
• had been raving
  perfect progressive

Future

• will rave
  simple
• will have raved
  perfect
• will be raving
  progressive
• will have been raving
  perfect progressive

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”

Explanation

If you rave about a book you just read, you're telling people you think it's great, or you're giving it a rave review. Rave has two levels, one that implies you're very excited about something and the other that you are too excited, so you seem crazy. While raving about a movie means to talk it up, being a raving lunatic means you are engaging in a lot of crazy talk. When you rave about a performance, you talk enthusiastically about it. Take that enthusiastic talking to the next level, and you might be called raving in the crazy sense.

Example Sentences

Today’s ice swimmers rave about the rush and subsequent feelings of alertness, contentment and energy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 6, 2026

The U.S. has been getting rave reviews, hailed as a friendly behemoth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 6, 2026

It is a "world cup pubs boost" with the "Mexican rave" says the Daily Mirror.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

They rave about their “upscale lifestyle beyond anything we could have dreamed possible,” living in a spacious penthouse apartment with great views and a housekeeper.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026

Surely, it must kill old priss face to have to put rave notices—“Excellent” “Good, clear thinking” “Nice Work”— on the papers of someone who so obviously disliked her.

From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson

Related Words

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