regale
regale — verb
- regalepresent simple I / you / we / they
- regales3rd person singular
- regaling-ing form
- regaledpast simple
1. to give someone a very large, special meal with many fine foods and drinks, ofte
to give someone a very large, special meal with many fine foods and drinks, often as a generous or honourable act.
Grandpa Hana regaled the whole family with a twelve-course dinner at his favourite restaurant.
regale + someone + with + noun phrase — the food or drink supplied
The ambassador regaled her guests with fine wines and roasted meats until late in the evening.
To celebrate the harvest, the village chief regaled everyone with fresh seafood and tropical fruit.
Yumi regaled her grandchildren with homemade sushi and grilled fish for her birthday celebration.
- feast
suggests a large celebratory meal rather than one person treating another
- entertain sumptuously
more formal and less common; a near paraphrase
文法句型
regale + someone + with + food/drink
用法筆記
This sense almost always requires 'with' to specify what food or drink is provided. Without the 'with'-phrase the sentence sounds incomplete.
常見錯誤
2. to keep someone amused and interested by telling them entertaining stories, adve
to keep someone amused and interested by telling them entertaining stories, adventures, or personal experiences.
Uncle Kwame regaled the children with funny stories about his travels across West Africa.
regale + someone + with + stories — verbal entertainment
Sofia regaled her colleagues with tales of her misadventures at the baking competition.
The old fisherman regaled the tourists with thrilling accounts of storms at sea.
Bilal regaled his classmates with wild stories about his summer job at the camel market.
- bore
to make someone feel uninterested or tired
文法句型
regale + someone + with + stories/tales
用法筆記
The object of 'regale' in this sense is the person being entertained, and 'with' introduces the material (stories, anecdotes, tales) that amuses them.
常見錯誤
3. to eat and drink a large amount with great enjoyment, usually in a lively social
to eat and drink a large amount with great enjoyment, usually in a lively social setting.
After the long hike, the group regaled themselves on bread, cheese, and cold meat.
reflexive: regale + oneself + on + food
The hungry students regaled on the huge buffet their host had prepared.
At the wedding feast, everyone regaled on roast lamb and sweet pastries.
文法句型
regale + on/upon + food
regale + oneself + on/upon + food
用法筆記
More literary than the other senses. The reflexive form ('regaled themselves') is common, but the intransitive form ('regaled on') also occurs. 'Upon' can replace 'on' for an even more formal tone.
regale — noun
1. a large, splendid meal with many different fine dishes, usually for a special oc
a large, splendid meal with many different fine dishes, usually for a special occasion.
The wedding reception was a grand regale with sparkling wine and five different desserts.
noun: 'a grand regale' — describes a lavish special-occasion meal
The king's birthday regale lasted three days and included musicians and dancers.
For the New Year, the family prepared a regale of dumplings, fish, and sticky rice cakes.
用法筆記
Typically used in literary or descriptive writing rather than everyday conversation. Often modified by adjectives such as 'grand', 'splendid', or 'sumptuous'.
2. a small, specially chosen piece of food that is particularly tasty or of very hi
a small, specially chosen piece of food that is particularly tasty or of very high quality.
The chef set aside a regale of smoked salmon for a loyal customer who came every week.
noun: 'a regale of [food]' — a choice piece or serving
At the market, Grandmother chose a regale of honey-drizzled figs for dessert.
The only regale left on the platter was a single chocolate truffle.
用法筆記
This sense is very rare in modern English. It refers to a single choice item or small portion, not a full dish or platter.