regale

[ ri-geyl ]

verb (used with object)

, re·galed, re·gal·ing.

1. to entertain lavishly or agreeably; delight.
2. to entertain with choice food or drink.

verb (used without object)

, re·galed, re·gal·ing.

1. to feast.

noun

1. Rare. a sumptuous feast.
2. Archaic. a choice article of food or drink.
3. Archaic. refreshment.

regale

/ rɪˈɡeɪl /

verb

1. to give delight or amusement to

   he regaled them with stories of his youth

2. to provide with choice or abundant food or drink

noun

1. archaic.
   1. a feast
   2. a delicacy of food or drink

Derived Forms

• reˈgalement, noun

Other Words From

• re·galement noun
• re·galer noun
• unre·galed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of regale¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from French régaler, derivative of régal(e), Old French rigale, derivative of gale “festivity” (with prefix of rigoler “to amuse oneself”), derivative of galer “to make merry”; gallant

Word History and Origins

Origin of regale¹

C17: from French régaler , from gale pleasure; related to Middle Dutch wale riches; see also gala

Example Sentences

Many Americans jailed in foreign countries regale journalists with their own versions of “Midnight Express.”

From The Daily Beast

Anyway I sat down with Bruce and encouraged him to regale me with a few New Hampshire-in-the-old days stories.

From The Daily Beast

Montalbán swerves off frequently to have his hero admire a dish or even regale us with a recipe.

From The Daily Beast

When Emmett King came home at night, he liked to regale the family with tales of small-town criminality— Mayberry R.F.D. stuff.

From The Daily Beast

He would regale us sometimes with his experience flying jet airplanes.

From The Daily Beast

They visit and regale one another very much, and are not wanting in Civilities to Foreigners.

From Project Gutenberg

His chief food is of a vegetable nature—grain, fruits, and roots—but he does not disdain an occasional regale of pork.

From Project Gutenberg

The regale that followed might have caused a European chef to pale his ineffectual fires from sheer envy.

From Project Gutenberg

The fat man hates trouble, smothers his own, and you only make him ill at ease when you regale him with yours.

From Project Gutenberg

And booths, wherein you might regale, And have a pint of beer, or ale.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amuse
• entertain