Rage is intense, overwhelming anger that feels like it's taking control of you. When someone flies into a rage, their fury becomes so powerful that they might yell, slam doors, or say things they'll regret later. Rage is much stronger than ordinary anger: if regular anger is like a campfire you can control, rage is like a wildfire consuming everything in its path.

You might see rage when a toddler has a complete meltdown over something small, or when an athlete explodes at a referee after a controversial call. People sometimes talk about road rage, when drivers get so furious at traffic or other drivers that they act dangerously. Throughout history, warriors sometimes fought with such fierce anger that people described them as fighting “in a rage.”

The word can also describe something spreading powerfully and uncontrollably, like when a storm rages through a town or a debate rages in Congress. When something is all the rage, it means everyone suddenly wants it, like a toy or fashion trend sweeping through school.