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Regale has been an English verb since the early half of the 1600s, having been adapted from the French word régaler. That word traces back to the Middle French verb galer, which means “to have a good time.” (Gala, meaning “a festive celebration,” is from the same source.) Today, regale still applies when someone is entertaining or amusing another, especially by sharing stories. Regale also sometimes functions as a noun meaning “a sumptuous feast.” An early use of the noun appears in the preface to a 1732 dramatic poem by George Granville: “An English stomach … will rise hungry from a regale of nothing but sweet-meats.”
Examples of regale in a Sentence
Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 9 June 2026
His mind was as sharp as a tack, again regaling us with amazing hockey stories.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 5 June 2026
Aboard the boat, Terry regales his passengers with tales of the river, from namesake Twain to tragic Lovers' Leap just downstream of Hannibal.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 31 May 2026
The excitement continued with a visit from none other than Indiana Jones played by Choco Clotfelter, who regaled the students with tales of the railroads, travel, and the founding of the Del Mar Fair.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for regale
Cite this Entry
“Regale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regale. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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