Definition of 'rain'

Word Frequency

rain

(reɪn )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense rains , present participle raining , past tense, past participle rained

1. uncountable noun [oft the NOUN]

Rain is water that falls from the clouds in small drops.

I hope you didn't get soaked standing out in the rain.

A spot of rain fell on her hand.

Synonyms: rainfall, fall, showers, deluge More Synonyms of rain

2. plural noun

In countries where rain only falls in certain seasons, this rain is referred to as the rains.

...the spring, when the rains came.

The rains have failed again in the Horn of Africa.

3. verb

When rain falls, you can say that it is raining.

It rained the whole weekend. [it VERB]

It was raining hard, and she hadn't an umbrella. [VERB]

Synonyms: pour, pelt (down), teem, bucket down [informal] More Synonyms of rain

4. verb

If someone rains blows, kicks, or bombs on a person or place, the person or place is attacked by many blows, kicks, or bombs. You can also say that blows, kicks, or bombs rain on a person or place.

The opponents were raining blows on each other long after the bell had gone. [VERB noun + on]

Rockets, mortars and artillery rounds rained on buildings. [VERB + on]

Synonyms: fall, shower, be dropped, sprinkle More Synonyms of rain

Rain down means the same as rain.

Fighter aircraft rained down high explosives. [VERB PARTICLE noun]

Grenades and mortars rained down on the city. [VERB PARTICLE + on]

5. singular noun [NOUN of noun]

A rain of things is a large number of things that fall from the sky at the same time.

A rain of stones descended on the police.

Synonyms: shower, flood, stream, hail More Synonyms of rain

See it never rains but it pours

See as right as rain

See rain or shine

Phrasal verbs:

See rain off

See rain out

More Synonyms of rain

Video: pronunciation of
rain

rain in British English

(reɪn )

noun

precipitation from clouds in the form of drops of water, formed by the condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere

a fall of rain; shower

(in combination)

a raindrop

▶ Related adjectives: hyetal, pluvious

a large quantity of anything falling rapidly or in quick succession

a rain of abuse

3. See rain or shine

4. See right as rain

verb

5. (intr; with it as subject)

to be the case that rain is falling

6. (often with it as subject)

to fall or cause to fall like rain

the lid flew off and popcorn rained on everyone

7. (transitive)

to bestow in large measure

to rain abuse on someone

8. See rain cats and dogs

9. See rained off

Derived forms

rainless (ˈrainless)

adjective

Word origin

Old English regn; related to Old Frisian rein, Old High German regan, Gothic rign

Word Frequency

rain in American English

(reɪn )

noun

water falling to earth in drops larger than 0.5 mm (0.02 in) that have been condensed from the moisture in the atmosphere

the falling of such drops; shower or rainstorm

rainy weather

b. [pl.]

seasonal rainfalls; the rainy season

, preceded by the

a rapid falling or propulsion of many small particles or objects

a rain of ashes

verb intransitive

to fall

said of rain, and usually in an impersonal construction

it is raining

to fall like rain

bullets rained about him

to cause rain to fall

said of the heavens, clouds, etc.

verb transitive

to pour down (rain or something likened to rain)

to give in large quantities

to rain praises on someone

Idioms:

rain cats and dogs

rain out

Derived forms

rainless (ˈrainless)

adjective

Word origin

ME rein < OE regn, akin to Ger regen < IE base *re-, var. of *reĝ-, moist, wet > L rigare, to wet, moisten: see irrigate

Word Frequency

rain in American English

(rein)

noun

water that is condensed from the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere and falls to earth in drops more than 1⁄50 in. (0.5 mm) in diameter

Compare drizzle (sense 6)

a rainfall, rainstorm, or shower

We had a light rain this afternoon

3. See rains

weather marked by steady or frequent rainfall

We had rain most of last summer

a heavy and continuous descent or inflicting of anything

a rain of blows

a rain of vituperation

intransitive verb

6. (of rain)

to fall (usually used impersonally with it as subject)

It rained all night

to fall like rain

Tears rained from their eyes

to send down rain

The lightning flashed and the sky rained on us in torrents

transitive verb

to send down in great quantities, as small pieces or objects

People on rooftops rained confetti on the parade

10.

to offer, bestow, or give in great quantity

to rain favors upon a person

11.

to deal, hurl, fire, etc., repeatedly

to rain blows on someone's head

12. See rain cats and dogs

13. See rain out

Derived forms

rainless

adjective

rainlessness

noun

Word origin

[bef. 900; (n.) ME rein; OE regn, rēn, c. D, G regen, ON regn, Goth rign; (v.) ME reinen, OE regnian]

Examples of 'rain' in a sentence
rain

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

The forecast rain will also be in his favour.The ground may have been too quick both times so any rain is a plus.It poured all day with rain and then all night with goals.There may be a little rain but showers are short and sharp and the sun comes back quickly.What is it like sitting next to him on the bench when the criticism and in some cases the abuse rains down?It looked hard - rain just before kick off did not help.The forecaster said that it would be a relatively dry weekend, although some rain should be expected.When they tried to survey members about the impact this has, they had to call off the exercise owing to torrential rain. Experts have linked the harder rains to the warming of the Mediterranean, which results in higher humidity.It will also be dry for most places, although rain is more likely in the northwest; the chances of snow are very low.