regale

verb
re·​gale | \ ri-ˈgāl How to pronounce regale (audio) \
regaled; regaling

Definition of regale

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to entertain sumptuously : feast with delicacies
2 : to give pleasure or amusement to regaled us with tall tales

intransitive verb

: to feast oneself : feed

regale

noun

Definition of regale (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a sumptuous feast
2 : a choice piece especially of food

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Synonyms for regale

Synonyms: Verb

amuse, disport, divert, entertain, solace

Synonyms: Noun

banquet, dinner, feast, feed, spread

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Did You Know?

Verb

Regale has been an English verb since at least 1656; it was adapted from French régaler, which has the same meaning as "regale." The French verb goes back to Middle French galer, which means "to have a good time," and to Old French gale, meaning "pleasure." (Gala, meaning "a festive celebration," is from the same source.) "Regale" also has a history as a noun meaning "a sumptuous feast." That use dates back to at least 1670, when someone penned the following notice for posterity: "My Lord Duke will not be able to get away yet…, all the regales that are intended for him not being yet at an end." (The lord referred to is the Duke of Buccleuch, whose regales ended once and for all 15 years later when he was beheaded.)

Examples of regale in a Sentence

Verb

regaled his grandchildren with stories of his time in Morocco an inn that nightly regales its guests with five-course meals prepared by a master chef

Noun

a regale to honor the retiring Supreme Court justice
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The son of a landscape designer and a landscape installer, Chadwick regales you with the story of some of the 89 Scotch pines, all dug up in far-flung places, trucked to Everett and placed just so for the right Wynn Resorts look. Joshua Miller, BostonGlobe.com, "Encore’s rich flora blooms thanks to one man’s botanic expertise," 18 Aug. 2019 During the television broadcast of Saturday’s game, McVay regaled viewers with his analysis from the sideline. Los Angeles Times, "Rams: Micah Kiser’s injury could mean more snaps for Bryce Hager," 18 Aug. 2019 Newsom regaled the students with the lighthearted story during a tour of Paradise Ridge Elementary School nine months after the Camp fire decimated the town and displaced hundreds of families. Los Angeles Times, "Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first pet? An otter, he tells 2nd-graders in Paradise, Calif.," 21 Aug. 2019 Richard enjoyed regaling any group with stories of his many adventures in life. orlandosentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 8/2," 2 Aug. 2019 Mussina wasn’t through having fun with his former teammate, who was across the room regaling an even larger crowd of media. Peter Schmuck, baltimoresun.com, "Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera bookend Sunday’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, much the way they did on the field," 20 July 2019 Some regaled the cast about their favorite scenes or called them by their characters’ names. Los Angeles Times, "Comic-Con 2019: How ‘Superstore’ created a legion of superfans," 19 July 2019 At a 2020 fundraising reception, McNaughton regaled those attending with stories about the inspiration behind some of his work. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, azcentral, "Provocative conservative artist donates Trump artwork for Arizona GOP fundraiser," 16 July 2019 He was known for his lilting brogue and regaling parishioners with stories about his homeland. al.com, "Bishop Baker releases priest assignments," 1 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The notion that the adage less is more might somehow apply to Plein seems, rather, unbelievable, but for his Plein Sport Spring collection, his regale was marginally toned down—and this was a good thing. Nick Remsen, Vogue, "Philipp Plein Serves Up a Tennis-Themed Sport Collection in Milan," 17 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'regale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of regale

Verb

1642, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for regale

Verb

French régaler, from Middle French, from regale, noun

Noun

French régal, from Middle French regale, from re- + galer to have a good time — more at gallant

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More Definitions for regale

regale

verb
re·​gale | \ ri-ˈgāl How to pronounce regale (audio) \
regaled; regaling

Kids Definition of regale

: to give pleasure or amusement to He regaled his guests with stories.

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