rave

/reɪv/

/reɪv/

Other forms: raving; raved; raves

If you rave about a book you just read, you're telling people you think it's great, or you're giving it a rave review.

Rave has two levels, one that implies you're very excited about something and the other that you are too excited, so you seem crazy. While raving about a movie means to talk it up, being a raving lunatic means you are engaging in a lot of crazy talk. When you rave about a performance, you talk enthusiastically about it. Take that enthusiastic talking to the next level, and you might be called raving in the crazy sense.

Definitions of rave

1. verb

   talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
   synonyms: jabber, mouth off, rabbit on, rant, spout

   type of:

   mouth, speak, talk, utter, verbalise, verbalize

   express in speech
2. verb

   praise enthusiastically
   “She raved about that new restaurant”

   synonyms: gush

   type of:

   praise

   express approval of
3. noun

   an extravagantly enthusiastic review
   “he gave it a rave”

   type of:

   critical review, critique, review, review article

   an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
4. noun

   a dance party that lasts all night and electronically synthesized music is played
   “raves are very popular in Berlin”

   type of:

   dance

   a party for social dancing
5. verb

   participate in an all-night techno dance party
   type of:

   party

   have or participate in a party