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rain

rain

77 1.0
Many things coming quickly together at the same time
  • noun
  • /reɪn/
translation icon : lluvia
  • It's not about the rain, it's what the rain represents.

Here words are flowing out like in this rain, into a paper cup.

Examples

  • So we want to see the effect of rain on rice production.

  • So we're dealing with a lot of rain conditions now.

  • It was like rain, like heavy rain just pouring everywhere.

  • The sky was dark, the air thick with mist and rain, just as in his nightmares.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Outside, the wind shrieked, firing a hail of rain that concealed the breaking dawn.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • It rolled off my tongue like rain rolls off a window sill.

  • Even in those days, the sun used to parch Oklahoma and Kansas, and the rains were fickle.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • After weeks of heavy rain, the river finally overflowed its banks.

  • The concert was postponed due to the unexpected heavy rain that flooded the venue.

  • The farmers celebrated the autumn rains that ensured a good harvest this year.

Synonyms

shower
vsrain
162 1.0

A short period of rain or a sudden fall of things like confetti

is used more for many things falling quickly rather than light brief events
downpour
vsrain
24 2.7

A heavy and sudden fall of rain

is broader and often figurative for rapid abundant things
deluge
vsrain
11 6.3

A very heavy rain that causes flooding

is mainly figurative and not limited to extreme water events
torrent
vsrain
3 4.4

A very heavy fall of rain that starts suddenly

is more general and often used figuratively for many quick events
outpour
vsrain
5.7

A sudden large flow of feelings or help from many people

is used figuratively for many things happening quickly

Antonyms

178 3.7

A long time with no rain that makes the land very dry

Idioms

Politely say no now but suggest doing it another time

3 5.9

To rain very hard

to rain check
  • Informal
3 4.5

To say you will do something later instead of now

to rain buckets
  • Informal
1 5.6

To pour a lot of water from the sky

Make someone less happy or excited by pointing out problems

6.1

To enjoy life without worrying about problems

Compounds

35 4.5

A promise to accept an invitation later when you cannot now

26 1.6

A large thick forest in the tropics with very heavy rain

acid rain
  • Specialized
16 3.3

Rain made acidic by pollution from factories that harms plants and water

How likely it is to rain at a time or place

5 1.0

A short period of rain that starts suddenly

4 1.0

A dark grey cloud that brings rain

4 1.6

Clothing and items like a raincoat or umbrella that keep you dry in rain

3 7.5

A traditional dance people do to ask for rain

A large area of tall trees near the equator that gets heavy rain and has many plants and animals

2 3.3

A large container that collects rainwater from roofs for later use

1 1.0

Rain that falls in the morning

1 8.1

A hollow tube with small stones inside that makes a rain sound when tilted

rain man
  • Slur
1 9.9

A person who remembers many facts and does quick mental sums

1 5.1

A ticket to use later if an event is cancelled because of rain

A sudden very heavy fall of rain that soaks everything

1 7.4

A small tree with hanging clusters of yellow flowers often used in gardens and for Easter decorations

1 3.4

Another day for an outdoor event if rain cancels the first date

rain shadow
  • Specialized
1 6.7

An area with little rain that lies behind mountains

A forest in mild regions that gets a lot of rain

float-type rain gage
  • Specialized
7.9

A device with a float that rests on collected rain to measure how much falls

float-type rain gauge
  • Specialized
7.3

A tool that measures rain using a float on the top of the collected water

rain gage
  • Specialized
3.0

A tool that measures how much rain falls

rain gauge
  • Specialized
3.2

A device that measures how much rain falls

rain tree
  • Specialized
8.6

A large tropical tree with many small leaves, round pink flowers, and seed pods cattle eat

Rain-giver
  • Literature
9.9

A name in ancient stories for the god Jupiter that shows his power to bring rain

rain-wash
  • Specialized
7.7

The washing away of soil from the ground by rain

A short fall of rain that starts without warning

Heavy rain that falls suddenly for a short time

How Intense

deluge
8 6.8
barrage
  • Specialized
14 7.6
torrent
6 4.4
rain
77 1.0
shower
162 1.0
stream
150 1.0
to trickle
70 3.4

Surface Forms

rain singular
rains plural

Etymology

A rain of something comes from the picture of many drops falling at once, so a 'rain' of complaints or gifts means a large number came quickly, just like heavy rain pours down.