What does raved mean?
Raved is the past tense of rave, most commonly meaning to praise something with intense enthusiasm. The expression “raved about” is especially frequent: reviewers raved about a performance, a novel, or a meal, while performers and audiences raved about an exceptional artist. This modern sense carries a strongly positive connotation and suggests praise so emphatic that it approaches excitement or effusiveness. Earlier English also used raved for talking wildly or incoherently, particularly during delirium; that sense now appears chiefly in literary or historical contexts. Raved can also function informally as an adjective meaning wildly enthusiastic or, in a less formal sense, irrational or crazy. It is used in both British and American English, although the older sense of delirious speech is more characteristic of formal or literary writing.
To praise someone or something with great enthusiasm.
"The audience raved about the company's fearless new production."
Common in the construction “rave about” something or someone.
To speak wildly or incoherently, especially because of delirium or extreme excitement.
"He raved through the night, convinced someone was outside his room."
Chiefly literary or historical in contemporary English.
Informally, wildly enthusiastic or excited; also, informally, irrational or crazy.
"Her friends were raved when they heard the news."
Informal and less common than the verb, particularly in British and American usage.
Before it meant “gushily praise,” raved could mean speaking deliriously — a dramatic journey from fevered babbling to glowing reviews.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does raved come from?
The verb appears in Middle English in the sense of talking wildly or incoherently and is associated with an Old English ancestor meaning to be crazy or delirious. Its modern sense of praising enthusiastically developed in the early 20th century, initially meaning to speak in glowing or extravagant terms. The older meaning survives in literary usage, while the praise sense dominates in contemporary English.
Related word forms
How raved is actually used
The modern sense is especially common with “about”: “raved about the performance.” The older sense of delirious or incoherent speech survives mainly in literature.