noun Uncommon

rave

rayv

Rave (noun) means an enthusiastically positive review. Example: “The film earned raves from nearly every critic.”

noun

An enthusiastically positive review.

"The film earned raves from nearly every critic."

A large, often all-night dance party featuring electronic music and light shows.

"They drove three hours to a rave in an old warehouse."

verb

To talk about something with great, often excessive, enthusiasm.

"She wouldn't stop raving about the new restaurant."

To speak or act wildly, as if delirious.

"The fevered patient raved through the night."

How to use rave

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo praise something enthusiastically, to talk incoherently, or a wild all-night dance party.

Common pairings

rave about something rave reviews go to a rave

Word forms

raved past tense, raved past tense, raves plural, raves plural, Raves plural, raves singular, raves singular

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The film earned _____ from nearly every critic.

Etymology

From Middle English raven, "to rave or talk like a madman," from Old French raver — related to rove.

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

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Related words

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Rhymes for rave

ave gave save have wave cave nave pave fave Dave weave leave

See all rhymes for rave →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rave” mean?

The word “rave” means an enthusiastically positive review. In plain terms, to praise something enthusiastically, to talk incoherently, or a wild all-night dance party.

How do you pronounce “rave”?

“Rave” is pronounced rayv (/ɹeɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “rave” in a sentence?

Here is “rave” used in a sentence: “The film earned raves from nearly every critic.”

What is another word for “rave”?

Words with a similar meaning to “rave” include craze, have a kangaroo loose in the top paddock, have a screw loose, have bats in one's belfry, have bats in the belfry and have squirrels in the attic.

What part of speech is “rave”?

Depending on how it is used, “rave” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “rave” come from?

The word “rave” comes from Old French. From Middle English raven, "to rave or talk like a madman," from Old French raver — related to rove.

Is “rave” a common word?

“Rave” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “rave” have?

“Rave” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an enthusiastically positive review.

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