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”

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

Police officers working to shut down an illegal rave at a beauty spot used "unethical" force, one partygoer has told the BBC.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

I was pleasantly surprised by my cheap JetBlue flight in economy from London to New York a year ago and still rave about the food.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

So early success for "Pokemon Pokopia", released on March 5 to rave reviews and reports of store sell-outs around the world, has relieved investors.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Although Roberts did not see Sasaki’s outing, he heard rave reviews from members of the organization who attended.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

She was exhilarated by the rave reviews, but always the self-critical artist, she wasn’t satisfied.

From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

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