rave

1 of 2

verb

ˈrāv 

raved; raving

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

: to utter in madness or frenzy

rave

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms of rave

Verb

• drool
• gush
• fuss

Noun

• applause
• ovation
• praise
• cheering

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

Verb

Why do customers rave about Jim Pasternak’s Donuts with a Twist mobile food trailer? — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026

The coach raved about the developments in Agyabeng’s decision-making quality and speed since being drafted by Sporting KC. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026

Noun

This week, his and Arnold’s contemporary homage to The Conjuring’s Annabelle entity won raves from the judges and earned a 37. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2026

Nearly 1,200 people were killed when Hamas attacked army bases, residential communities and an outdoor music rave — and 251 people were taken hostage back to Gaza. — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rave

• rant and rave
• rave review

Rhymes for rave

• brave
• cave
• clave
• crave
• fave
• gave
• grave
• knave
• lave
• nave
• pave
• shave

Kids Definition

rave

1 of 2 verb

ˈrāv 

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