raving

UK: /ˈreɪvɪŋ/ US: /ˈreɪvɪŋ/ ,(rā′ving)

From the verb rave: (⇒ conjugate)

raving is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

rav•ing /ˈreɪvɪŋ/   adj. 

1. talking wildly;
   delirious:
   a raving maniac.
2. extraordinary in degree:
   a raving beauty.

adv. 

3. completely:
   raving mad.

n. 

4. Usually, ravings. [plural] talk that is wild or without reason:
   the ravings of a madman.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rav•ing  (rā′ving), adj. 

1. talking wildly;
   delirious;
   frenzied:
   a raving maniac.
2. Informal Terms extraordinary or remarkable:
   a raving beauty.

adv. 

3. furiously or wildly:
   a remark that made me raving mad.

n. 

4. Usually, ravings. 
   • irrational, incoherent talk:
     Putting him in a straitjacket did not stop his ravings.
   • wildly extravagant or outrageous talk;
     bombast.

• 1400–50; late Middle English; see rave, -ing², -ing¹

rav′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

raving / ˈreɪvɪŋ/ adjective

1. delirious; frenzied
2. (as adverb): raving mad
3. (intensifier): a raving beauty

noun

1. (usually plural) frenzied, irrational, or wildly extravagant talk or utterances

ˈravingly adverb

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

rave¹ /reɪv/   v., raved, rav•ing, n., adj. 
v. 

1. to talk wildly or irrationally: [no object]
   raving with fever.
   [~ + that clause]
   She raved that everyone hated her.
2. to talk or write with great or too great enthusiasm about something: [no object]
   They raved about the movie.
   [~ + that clause]
   They raved that she was a terrific teacher.

n. [countable]

3. an act of raving.
4. an enthusiastic review:
   The play won raves from the critics.

adj. [before a noun]

5. enthusiastic:
   rave reviews.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rave¹  (rāv), v., raved, rav•ing, n., adj. 
v.i. 

1. to talk wildly, as in delirium.
2. to talk or write with extravagant enthusiasm:
   She raved about her trip to Europe.
3. (of wind, water, storms, etc.) to make a wild or furious sound;
   rage.

v.t. 
4. to utter as if in madness.

n. 
5. an act of raving.
6. an extravagantly enthusiastic appraisal or review of something.
7. British Terms [Chiefly Brit. Slang.] a boisterous party, esp. a dance.

adj. 
8. extravagantly flattering or enthusiastic:
   rave reviews of a new play.
• Middle French resver to wander, be delirious
• 1325–75; 1915–25 for def. 2; Middle English raven (verb, verbal), probably
rav′er, n. 
Synonyms
• 1. rant, rage, storm.

rave²  (rāv), n. 

1. Transport a vertical sidepiece of a wagon or other vehicle.

• ?
• alteration of dialect, dialectal rathe, Middle English 1520–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rave / reɪv/ verb

1. to utter (something) in a wild or incoherent manner, as when mad or delirious
2. (intransitive) to speak in an angry uncontrolled manner
3. (intransitive) (of the sea, wind, etc) to rage or roar
4. (intr; followed by over or about) to write or speak (about) with great enthusiasm
5. (intransitive) to enjoy oneself wildly or uninhibitedly

noun

1. enthusiastic or extravagant praise
2. (as modifier): a rave review
3. 
   Also called: rave-up a party
4. a professionally organized party for young people, with electronic dance music, sometimes held in a field or disused building
5. a name given to various types of dance music, such as techno, that feature fast electronic rhythm

Etymology: 14th Century raven, apparently from Old French resver to wander