rev

[ rev ]

/ rɛv /

Informal.

See synonyms for rev on Thesaurus.com

noun

a revolution (in an engine or the like).

verb (used with object), revved, rev·ving.

to accelerate sharply the speed of (an engine or the like) (often followed by up).

verb (used without object), revved, rev·ving.

(of an engine) to accelerate; become revved (often followed by up).

Verb Phrases

rev up, to increase in strength or accelerate sharply: The economy is beginning to rev up.

QUIZZES

DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!

We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rev

First recorded in 1900–05; short for revolution

Definition for rev (2 of 3)

rev.

revenue.

reverse.

review.

reviewed.

revise; revised.

revision.

revolution.

revolving.

Definition for rev (3 of 3)

Rev.

abbreviation

Bible. Revelation.

Reverend.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for rev

(Complete CPAC Coverage) A couple of speakers later, Mike Huckabee revved up the crowd with his just-plain-folks sermonizing.
On CPAC Day 2, the Libertarian Wing Takes Over|Michelle Cottle|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now the anti-Islam film has people all revved up against the Americans.
Afghanistan: Of Blasphemy and Suicide Bombers|Sami Yousafzai|September 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In the last year, he has revved up his serve by 10 miles per hour.
Tennis' Next Greatest Player Who Ever Lived|Joshua Robinson|September 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
He revved the engines impatiently as the big door rolled away and the stars burned in at him.
The Sex Life of the Gods|Michael Knerr

Mike taxied back fast to the laboratory, turned the plane and revved up, holding on the brakes.
The Electronic Mind Reader|John Blaine
Well, between the time you revved up the motorcycle had you heard any more shots?
Warren Commission (3 of 26): Hearings Vol. III (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
He revved up again and taxied as rapidly as he dared to the houseboat, swung broadside to it, and throttled back.
The Electronic Mind Reader|John Blaine
During the night the artillery fire declined, but it revved the next morning.
The Story of the Great War, Volume VI (of VIII)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for rev (1 of 3)

rev

/ (rɛv) informal /

noun

revolution per minutethe engine was doing 5000 revs

verb revs, revving or revved

(often foll by up) to increase the speed of revolution of (an engine)

British Dictionary definitions for rev (2 of 3)

rev.

abbreviation for

revenue

reverse(d)

review

revise(d)

revision

revolution

revolving

British Dictionary definitions for rev (3 of 3)

Rev.

abbreviation for

Bible Revelation

Reverend

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

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rev

noun

verb (used with object), revved, rev·ving.