regale
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to entertain lavishly or agreeably; delight.
-
to entertain with choice food or drink.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
Rare. a sumptuous feast.
-
Archaic. a choice article of food or drink.
-
Archaic. refreshment.
verb
-
to give delight or amusement to
he regaled them with stories of his youth
-
to provide with choice or abundant food or drink
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of regale
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”; see gallant
Explanation
You may have heard it said that the fastest way to a person’s heart is through his stomach. So, if you need to please or impress someone, regale them — that is, treat them to lavish food and drink. While food is a reliable way to regale someone, regale can also involve providing forms of entertainment such as music or storytelling. Regale is akin to the word gala, meaning “a festive party,” and gallant, which can mean “spirited and adventurous” (though gallant can also mean “noble and brave”). If you regale someone with a gala attended by partygoers who are gallant, in either sense of the word, everyone should have a pretty good time.
Vocabulary lists containing regale
The Martian
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Oliver Twist
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Unbroken
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At the end of the hearing, committee members agreed to meet in a secure facility on Wednesday afternoon to hear Mullin regale them with his tales of daring from a decade ago.
From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026
But first, he has to regale his teammates of the tale of getting Aaron Judge out.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
More astounding, he managed to persuade Sondheim, the show’s lyricist, to regale an awe-struck high school drama club with anecdotes about his missteps.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025
The man knows how to regale his audience with a good story.
From Washington Post • Apr. 16, 2023
Now she lay in wait to regale Mother with her own misfortunes at the hands of unappreciative men.
From "In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson" by Bette Bao Lord
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
