raved; raving
1
a
: to talk irrationally in or as if in delirium
b
: to speak out wildly
c
: to talk with extreme enthusiasm
raved about its beauty
2
: to move or advance violently : storm
… the iced gusts still rave and beat …—
John Keats
John Keats
: to utter in madness or frenzy
1
: an act or instance of raving
2
: an extravagantly favorable criticism
the play received the critics' raves
3
: a large overnight dance party featuring techno music and usually involving the taking of mind-altering drugs
Examples of rave in a Sentence
Verb
“It's his best performance yet,” raved one movie critic.
The guy on the corner was raving like a madman.
The coach ranted and raved at the referee.
Noun
Her review of the movie was a rave.
the books have received even more raves from parents than from the kids they were written for
Recent Examples on the Web
Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Editors raved about the texture and mouthfeel of this cottage cheese.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
The rave has become a meeting place for soldiers on leave who no longer recognize themselves in their quiet lives, wounded veterans, civilians burdened by guilt, and young adults who know their days are numbered before mobilization.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rave
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Verb
My children still rave about The Playbarn, a play area for babies and toddlers that’s chockablock with toys, puzzles, costumes, and crafts.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Editors raved about the texture and mouthfeel of this cottage cheese.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
Noun
After starting her career at Argentine raves, Six Sex initially broke through with a particularly filthy strain of underground reggaeton.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 11 June 2026
The rave has become a meeting place for soldiers on leave who no longer recognize themselves in their quiet lives, wounded veterans, civilians burdened by guilt, and young adults who know their days are numbered before mobilization.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rave
Cite this Entry
“Rave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rave. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rave
1 of 2 verb
raved; raving
1
: to talk wildly or irrationally
2
: to talk with great enthusiasm
raved about the new play
raver
noun
rave
2 of 2 noun
: a statement of enthusiastic praise
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