regale

[ri-geyl]

verb (used with object)

regaled, regaling 

1. to entertain lavishly or agreeably; delight.

2. to entertain with choice food or drink.

verb (used without object)

regaled, regaling 

1. to feast.

noun

1. Rare.,  a sumptuous feast.

2. Archaic.,  a choice article of food or drink.

3. Archaic.,  refreshment.

regale

/ rɪˈɡeɪl /

verb

1. to give delight or amusement to

   he regaled them with stories of his youth

2. to provide with choice or abundant food or drink

noun

1. archaic

   1. a feast

   2. a delicacy of food or drink

Other Word Forms

• regalement noun
• regaler noun
• unregaled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of regale¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from French régaler, derivative of régal(e), Old French rigale, derivative of gale “festivity” (with prefix of rigoler “to amuse oneself”), derivative of galer “to make merry”; gallant

Word History and Origins

Origin of regale¹

C17: from French régaler , from gale pleasure; related to Middle Dutch wale riches; see also _gala

Example Sentences

The show’s narrator and singer regales guests with tales of how different Latin countries present stories of Santa Claus, or, say, the joy of unwrapping a tamale.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Cut to Jackie amid the tumult of a construction site, regaling a documentary crew with her plan to erect an “exact replica” of the palace.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She explained that a flock of geese had flown over the bay and regaled the coastal birds with the amazing story of the wild robot and her son, the goose.

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His uncles had regaled him with tales of the easy money available for legal seasonal workers — known as braceros — which allowed them to buy land and livestock back home.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Barely more than a month ago, I was regaling you all with my brave Super Bowl pick for the 2025 NFL season: the Baltimore Ravens.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• amuse 
• entertain