Definition of 'rain'

Word Frequency

rain

(reɪn )

Word forms: rains, raining, rained

1. uncountable noun [also the N]

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

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

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.

3. intransitive verb

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

It was raining hard, and she didn't have an umbrella.

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

4. transitive verb/intransitive 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.

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

More Synonyms of rain

Video: pronunciation of
rain

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 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. rain or shine

4. 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. rain cats and dogs

9. rained off

Derived forms

rainless (ˈrainless)

adjective

Word origin

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

Examples of 'rain' in a sentence
rain

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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.