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rave

A late-night dance event focused on EDM, house, or techno.

reɪvDocumented since 1980s1980sGen XhistoricalCurrent206 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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7 definitions
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Seen in the wild
5 citations · last seen May 2026

Etymology timeline

Born ~1980 · 1 year of recorded use
1980Born2026: 5 citationsToday, 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

#1·Apr 26, 2026

A late-night dance event focused on EDM, house, or techno. Once underground, now ranges from warehouse parties to massive festivals.

See it in action
  • “ah mais On de Aphex Twin a l'air très inspiré de ce titre oldschool de rave : 4-MEGA - DROP THIS www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im9D... c'est plutôt flagrant dans l'esprit et les harmoniques !”

"They're flying out for the desert rave."
Origin: British acid-house scene, 1980s; UK rave culture exported globally.
For parents

"rave" means: A late-night dance event focused on EDM, house, or techno. Once underground, now ranges from warehouse parties to massive festivals.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"rave" means: A late-night dance event focused on EDM, house, or techno. Once underground, now ranges from warehouse parties to massive festivals.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

Heard in the wild
  • “Jetting you back to the 90s world of electronic love SLE Radio Rave: every single day by davie forbes! Tune in now: https://sleradio.com or Google App: https://bit.ly/NewSLEAPP #SLERADIO #Electronicdance”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “L'ALTER INFO - Boulevard Voltaire Fin de la rave party dans le Cher : la gauche antifa s’amuse, les Français paient ! https://www.bvoltaire.fr/fin-de-la-rave-party-dans-le-cher-la-gauche-antifa-samuse-les-francais-paient/ 05-05-2026 16:00”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Weekly Listens (Dance-Punk & New Rave Edition)”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “ah mais On de Aphex Twin a l'air très inspiré de ce titre oldschool de rave : 4-MEGA - DROP THIS www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im9D... c'est plutôt flagrant dans l'esprit et les harmoniques !”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Sound Rave - Extra feat.Tamako #NowPlaying #足立区民放送 #五反野FM https://gotanno.love/”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#4·May 2, 2026

A large-scale dance party with strobe lights and fast-paced electronic dance music, often illegally organized open-air or in underground venues.

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Show 5 more dictionary-style senses (imported)
#2·May 2, 2026

The genres of electronic dance music made to be played in rave parties.

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#3·May 2, 2026

To speak or write wildly or incoherently.

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#5·May 2, 2026

To be mentally unclear; to be delirious; to talk or act irrationally; to be wild, furious, or raging.

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#6·May 2, 2026

To talk with excessive enthusiasm, passion or excitement.

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#7·May 2, 2026

An enthusiastic review (such as of a play).

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For specific readers

"rave" means: A late-night dance event focused on EDM, house, or techno. Once underground, now ranges from warehouse parties to massive festivals.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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