rain

Formsrains, raining, rained

1. 1
   wet weathernoununcountable

   Water that falls from clouds in drops.

   Like water dripping down from a giant wet sponge in the sky.

   We stayed inside because the rain was heavy all afternoon.

   Heavy rain flooded the streets overnight.

   UsageSay a lot of rain or heavy rain.

   Similarrainfall, precipitation, showers

   Oppositedrought, sunshine

2. 2
   come down (weather)verbintransitive

   For water to fall from clouds in drops.

   It might rain later, so bring an umbrella.

   They hoped it would not rain on the day of the picnic.

   UsageSay it's raining (not incorrect: is raining).

   Similarpour, pelt, teem, shower

3. 3
   fall thicklyverbfigurativelyintransitive

   To fall, or to send things down, in large numbers like rain.

   Like leaves dropping from a tree all at once.

   Confetti began to rain down on the crowd below.

   Ash rained from the sky after the eruption.

   UsageOften rain down: sparks rained down.

   Similarshower, pour, cascade

   Note
4. 4
   nounfigurativelyuncountable

   A large amount of small things falling through the air together.

   Like snow coming down, but made of other tiny bits.

   The workers wore hard hats under the constant rain of small stones.

   Our car was gray from the steady rain of ash after the fire.

   UsageSay a rain of sparks.

   Similarshower, cascade, fall, hail

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