raving

[ rey-ving ]

/ ˈreɪ vɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR raving ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

talking wildly; delirious; frenzied: a raving maniac.

Informal. extraordinary or remarkable: a raving beauty.

adverb

furiously or wildly: a remark that made me raving mad.

noun

Usually ravings.

irrational, incoherent talk: Putting him in a straitjacket did not stop his ravings.
wildly extravagant or outrageous talk; bombast.

Nearby words

ravi, ravigote, ravin, ravine, ravined, raving, ravioli, ravish, ravishing, ravishment, raw

Origin of raving

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at rave¹, -ing², -ing¹

Related forms

rav·ing·ly, adverbun·rav·ing, adjective

Definition for raving (2 of 2)

rave

[ reyv ]

/ reɪv /

verb (used without object), raved, rav·ing.

to talk wildly, as in delirium.

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

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

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

to utter as if in madness.

noun

an act of raving.

an extravagantly enthusiastic appraisal or review of something.

Chiefly British Slang. a boisterous party, especially a dance.

adjective

extravagantly flattering or enthusiastic: rave reviews of a new play.

Origin of rave

1325–75; 1915–25 for def 2; Middle English raven (v.), probably < Middle French resver to wander, be delirious

SYNONYMS FOR rave

1 rant, rage, storm.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rave ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

rav·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for raving

Charles “Father” Coughlin, a raving anti-Semite, was one of the most popular radio hosts in the country.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Forget SoulCycle—the newest fitness craze is early morning raving, complete with DJs, costumes, and organic smoothies.
The Drug-Free Breakfast Rave Is New York’s Latest Exercise Trend|Jessica Burdon|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For those who do not trust the government, it is an excuse for ranting and raving instead of legislating compromised reform.
Is Prism Really a Scandal?|Alan M. Dershowitz|June 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Senate minority leader was raving mad, and spouting nonsense.
The Independent Rundown, November 27|Matthew DeLuca|November 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Let's not even bother with the obvious historical inaccuracy of this raving.
Demonization Is No Excuse|Hussein Ibish|November 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
During this whole time I had been raving under a cerebral fever, death hovering over me.
Travels and Adventures of Monsieur Violet|Captain Marryat
She lay tossing on her feverish bed, raving wildly, consumed with burning heat, never resting night or day.
A Changed Heart|May Agnes Fleming
"You killed my father and ruined his life," she went on, raving.
The Beggar Man|Ruby Mildred Ayres
Do you call it raving to give one's goods to the Church and the poor Mendicants?
The Tales Of The Heptameron, Vol. V. (of V.)|Margaret, Queen Of Navarre
Theres a man been raving around here like a crazy man, declaring he has to send a telegram.
The Radio Boys at Mountain Pass|Allen Chapman

British Dictionary definitions for raving (1 of 3)

raving

/ (ˈreɪvɪŋ) /

adjective

delirious; frenzied
(as adverb)raving mad

informal (intensifier)a raving beauty

noun

(usually plural) frenzied, irrational, or wildly extravagant talk or utterances

Derived Forms

ravingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for raving (2 of 3)

rave

/ (reɪv) /

verb

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

(intr) to speak in an angry uncontrolled manner

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

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

(intr) British slang to enjoy oneself wildly or uninhibitedly

noun

informal

enthusiastic or extravagant praise
(as modifier)a rave review

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

British slang a fad or fashionthe latest rave

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

Word Origin for rave

C14 raven, apparently from Old French resver to wander

British Dictionary definitions for raving (3 of 3)

rave

/ (reɪv) /

noun

a vertical sidepiece on a wagon

Word Origin for rave

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

Idioms and Phrases with raving

rave

see rant and rave; stark raving mad.