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
Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Richardson was the only holdover coach from the previous staff retained by Marion, who regularly raved about his coaching skill and impact.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
In some parts of the world, raves can be an important expression of social belonging and resistance, a fact that’s celebrated in a multisensory special exhibit at San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rave
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Verb
Among fans of the moisturizer are reviewers in their 60s and 70s, who rave about its ability to smooth and soften mature skin.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Richardson was the only holdover coach from the previous staff retained by Marion, who regularly raved about his coaching skill and impact.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
Noun
The band’s fevered rave-ups and corporal rhythms teeter just on the edge of collapse and take half a century of New York noise with them.
—Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
In some parts of the world, raves can be an important expression of social belonging and resistance, a fact that’s celebrated in a multisensory special exhibit at San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rave
Cite this Entry
“Rave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rave. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
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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