regale

American  

[ri-geyl] / rɪˈgeɪl /

verb (used with object)

regaled, regaling

1. to entertain lavishly or agreeably; delight.

2. to entertain with choice food or drink.

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

1. archaic

   1. a feast

   2. a delicacy of food or drink

Other Word Forms

• regalement noun
• regaler noun
• unregaled adjective

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”; gallant

Example Sentences

On a visit to Samar midway through his training, Horbenko regaled relatives with stories of his training, showing video clips from the shooting ground.

From The Wall Street Journal

The conceit sounds simple today: Kids are given a small plastic key, for which they insert in a box near an installation and then are regaled with music and a short nursery rhyme or folktale.

From Los Angeles Times

I could hear Aunt Kitty regaling her with tales of “dear Flora,” even though Mrs. Maroney hadn’t asked.

From Literature

Here, Robyn delights in regaling the listener with the contradictory ideas of motherhood she’s encountered in the four years since becoming a mom to her son, Tyko.

From Salon

Gripp officially retired from the nursery, but he was a frequent helper several times a week, weeding, dividing plants, answering customer questions and regaling them with his orchid-hunting stories.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amuse
• entertain