rev

[ rev ]

/ rɛv /

Informal.

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rev

First recorded in 1900–05; short for revolution

Other definitions for rev (2 of 3)

rev.

abbreviation

revenue.

reverse.

review.

reviewed.

revise; revised.

revision.

revolution.

revolving.

Other definitions for rev (3 of 3)

Rev.

abbreviation

Bible. Revelation.

Reverend.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use rev in a sentence

Azhar started the night, his enthusiasm revving up the crowd that was a bit too large for the venue.
Defying Stereotypes, Young Muslim Writers Find Community Onstage|Julianne Chiaet|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Reminded of that revving motor down in Dixie, I have to concur.
A History of American Fun|Stefan Beck|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Risk, transgression, mockery, rebellion—these are the revving motors of fun.
A History of American Fun|Stefan Beck|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But, the crowd-control vehicles started revving up, and the police began preparing to move forward.
Taksim Square Showdown, as Police Forcefully Clear Gezi Park|Mike Giglio|June 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Now that Sarah Palin is launching an East Coast bus tour, the speculation machine is revving up again.
2012's Presidential Whiners|Howard Kurtz|May 29, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Now the street noises assailed his ears; the grinding of gears, the revving of motors.
This Crowded Earth|Robert Bloch
Definitely something else, and please go walk into one of those revving propellers, will you!
Dave Dawson at Truk|Robert Sydney Bowen
It was then that Dave suddenly was conscious of the fact that there were sounds of revving aircraft engines.
Dave Dawson with the Commandos|R. Sidney Bowen
His ears were filled with the sound of the revving aircraft engines.
Dave Dawson with the Commandos|R. Sidney Bowen
Somewhere down the line a big plane was getting ready to take off, the pilot was checking his magnetos, revving up his engines.
The Golden Skull|John Blaine

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