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
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
McCullough has raved about many of them.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Conan O’Brien is once again hosting, having won raves for his performance last year.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rave
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Verb
Brakel raved about his commitment to his craft, particularly his shooting, and called his shot one that the team wanted.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
McCullough has raved about many of them.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
Sinners casting director Francine Maisler found her central character in a musician without a Hollywood résumé, Miles Caton, while best international film and best sound nominee Sirat canvassed European raves for performers.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Conan O’Brien is once again hosting, having won raves for his performance last year.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 12 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 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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