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”; 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.

Example Sentences

But first, he has to regale his teammates of the tale of getting Aaron Judge out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Neely knew every great hole-in-the-wall breakfast and lunch joint in Los Angeles, where he would regale friends and colleagues with his infectious sense of humor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2023

Dan Kois is here to regale us with stories from a different era.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2023

Maybe he would regale Stoops about the leadership of the Apache leader Geronimo, on whom Leach would later co-author a book.

From Washington Post • Dec. 15, 2022

“Want to give it some more thought before you regale me?”

From "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon

Related Words

• amuse
• entertain