Word
revving
US/ˈɹɛvɪŋ/
UK/ɹˈɛvɪŋ/
Definition
v. to make a vehicle engine run faster and louder, usually while the vehicle is not moving. You do it to warm up the engine or to prepare to drive fast.
v. to increase the rotational speed of an engine, producing a louder sound, typically while stationary. Often done to warm an engine, prepare for acceleration, or signal impatience.
Examples
“He is revving his motorbike outside our house.”
“The taxi driver keeps revving the engine at the lights, ready to move as soon as they turn green.”
“From the garage came the low sound of revving engines as the mechanics tested each restored car before the morning race.”
Examples
simple
“He is revving his motorbike outside our house.”
contextual
“The taxi driver keeps revving the engine at the lights, ready to move as soon as they turn green.”
complex
“From the garage came the low sound of revving engines as the mechanics tested each restored car before the morning race.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “revving” in context.
Verb
01. hear revving
“We could hear revving from the car park early in the morning.”
verb + noun
02. rev engine
“He revved his engine loudly before driving away.”
verb + noun
03. rev up
“She revved up the car to warm up the engine.”
verb + prep
04. start revving
“He started revving his engine while waiting at the lights.”
verb + verb
Adjective
05. constant revving
“The constant revving outside the garage was really annoying.”
adj + noun
06. loud revving
“The loud revving of motorbikes kept the whole street awake.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. sound of revving
“The sound of revving filled the narrow street.”
noun + prep + noun
08. hear engines revving outside
“We could hear engines revving outside the hotel all night.”
09. keep revving the engine
“He kept revving the engine impatiently at the red light.”
10. rev up the engine
“He revved up the engine to warm it up before leaving.”
11. stop revving your engine
“The neighbour told him to stop revving his engine.”
Usage
Commonly takes 'engine' or a vehicle as object; intransitive use without an object is also frequent.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/revving