Raven — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective verb /ˈrā-vən/ (noun) /ˈra-vən/ (verb) ra·ven

Meaning & Definition of Raven

Raven (noun)

  1. a large, glossy-black bird (Corvus corax) that is widely distributed in northern parts of the northern hemisphere but now rare in most areas of the eastern and central U.S. and that differs from the closely related common crow chiefly in its larger size and wedge-shaped tail and in having the feathers of the throat narrow and pointed resulting in a shaggy appearance; also, any of various usually large and glossy black, corvine birds

Raven (adjective)

  1. shiny and black like a raven's feathers

Raven (verb)

  1. to feed greedily
  2. to prowl for food, prey
  3. plunder

Raven (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having the color of soot or coal

    "had dark eyes and raven hair"

    similar: black, ebony, pitch-black, pitch-dark, pitchy, sable
    related: dark, dusky, inky, blackish, brunet
    opposite: white
    near: bright, brilliant, light, pale, palish

Raven (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to swallow or eat greedily

    "the rat ravened the poisoned bait just as we had hoped"

    similar: bolt, cram, devour, glut (archaic), gobble, gorge, gormandize, gulp, ingurgitate, inhale, scarf, scoff, slop, wolf
    related: overeat, pig out, swill
    near: nibble, peck, pick

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Raven

The most common words with a similar meaning to Raven:

Archaic: glut
black, ebony, pitch-black, pitch-dark, pitchy, sable, bolt, cram, devour, gobble, gorge, gormandize, gulp, ingurgitate, inhale, scarf, scoff, slop, wolf

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Raven

Words with the opposite meaning of Raven:

white

Related Words for Raven

dark, dusky, inky, blackish, brunet, overeat, pig out, swill

Near Antonyms of Raven

bright, brilliant, light, pale, palish, nibble, peck, pick

Word Forms of Raven

Inflections: ravened, ravening

Derived words: ravener (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Raven

Middle English, from Old English hræfn; akin to Old High German hraban raven, Latin corvus, Greek korax

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Raven

night raven

Frequently Asked Questions about Raven

What does "Raven" mean?

"Raven" means a large, glossy-black bird (Corvus corax) that is widely distributed in northern parts of the northern hemisphere but now rare in most areas of the eastern and central U.S. and that differs from the closely related common crow chiefly in its larger size and wedge-shaped tail and in having the feathers of the throat narrow and pointed resulting in a shaggy appearance; also, any of various usually large and glossy black, corvine birds. As an a noun, an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: a large, glossy-black bird (Corvus corax) that is widely distributed in northern parts of the northern hemisphere but now rare in most areas of the eastern and central U.S. and that differs from the closely related common crow chiefly in its larger size and wedge-shaped tail and in having the feathers of the throat narrow and pointed resulting in a shaggy appearance; also, any of various usually large and glossy black, corvine birds. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Raven"?

Other words for "Raven" include black, ebony, pitch-black, pitch-dark, pitchy, sable, bolt and cram. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Raven" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Raven"?

There are 28 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Raven". Common alternatives include black, ebony, pitch-black, pitch-dark, pitchy, sable, bolt, cram, devour and glut.

What is the opposite of "Raven"?

Antonyms of "Raven" include white. Near antonyms include bright, brilliant, light and pale.

How do you use "Raven" in a sentence?

Examples of "Raven" in a sentence: "had dark eyes and raven hair"; "the rat ravened the poisoned bait just as we had hoped".

Is "Raven" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Raven" can be used as a noun, an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Raven"?

"Raven" is pronounced /ˈrā-vən/ as a noun and /ˈra-vən/ as a verb and divided into syllables as ra·ven.

What is the origin of the word "Raven"?

"Raven" comes from Middle English, from Old English hræfn; akin to Old High German hraban raven, Latin corvus, Greek korax. First known use: before 12th century.