verb
Common
rev
rehv
Rev (verb) means to make an engine run faster, or to increase its speed. Example: “The driver revved loudly at the lights, hoping to impress his friends.”
verb
1
To make an engine run faster, or to increase its speed.
"The driver revved loudly at the lights, hoping to impress his friends."
"Mechanics rev the motor to check that it runs smoothly."
"He revved the engine before pulling out of the driveway."
How to use rev
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make an engine speed up, often by pressing the accelerator while parked.
Common pairings
rev the engine
rev up
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- revs
- Past tense
- revved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Mechanics _____ the motor to check that it runs smoothly.
Etymology
Short for "revolutions," as in revolutions per minute (rpm).
Synonyms
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Rhymes for rev
See all rhymes for rev →Frequently asked questions
What does “rev” mean?
The word “rev” means to make an engine run faster, or to increase its speed. In plain terms, to make an engine speed up, often by pressing the accelerator while parked.
How do you pronounce “rev”?
“Rev” is pronounced rehv (/ɹɛv/ in IPA).
How do you use “rev” in a sentence?
Here is “rev” used in a sentence: “He revved the engine before pulling out of the driveway.”
What part of speech is “rev”?
“Rev” is a verb.
Is “rev” a common word?
“Rev” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between rev and accelerate?
'Rev' means to make an engine run faster, often while the vehicle stays still, as in revving in neutral. 'Accelerate' means to increase the actual speed of the moving vehicle. You can rev an engine without going anywhere, but accelerating changes how fast you travel.
How is rev related to 'revs' and revolutions?
The word 'rev' is short for revolution, meaning one full turn of the engine. When an engine runs faster it completes more revolutions per minute, which is why speed is measured in revs, or RPM. Revving raises the number of these revolutions.
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