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

Both Kelce brothers raved about Sandler’s role in the wedding. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Specs With plush, overstuffed cushions and a supersoft velvet upholstery that reviewers rave about, this modular sofa is made with comfort in mind. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026

Noun

This is a man with the eyes of someone on a permanent rave, simultaneously alive and over-tired. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

This is part of Iceland Eclipse, a festival on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, offering late-night raves, cacao ceremonies, and lectures on whale communication to 3,333 total attendees. — Uma Raja, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 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