DictionaryAI

shower

USSHOW-ur/ˈʃaʊ.ɚ/UKSHOW-uh/ˈʃaʊ.ə(ɹ)/

Pluralshowers

Verbshowers, showering, showered

14 meanings of shower

Practice

  1. 1
    bathroom devicenouncountable
    A thing in a bathroom that sprays water down on you so you can wash.

    The hotel room has a shower but no bath.

    Dad fixed the shower so the water is hot again.

    Note
  2. 2
    a washnouncountable
    A wash under the shower.

    I am going to have a shower before dinner.

    He takes a quick shower after football.

    UsageSay have a shower or take a shower.

  3. 3
    short rainnouncountable
    A short fall of rain, snow, or hail.

    A shower caught us on the way home from school.

    The forecast says sun with a few showers.

    UsageWeather reports often use the plural, as in scattered showers.

    Similarsquall, sprinkle

    Note
  4. 4
    wash yourselfverbintransitive
    To wash yourself under a shower.

    I shower every morning before school.

    She showered and changed after the game.

    Similarwash, bathe

  5. 5
    nouncountable
    A party where guests give someone presents, especially before a wedding or the birth of a baby.

    We are having a baby shower for my sister next week.

    Everyone brought a gift to the bridal shower.

    UsageSay throw a baby shower for someone.

    Similarparty, celebration

    Note
  6. 6
    a burst ofnouncountable
    A lot of small things falling or flying at once, like rain.

    The fireworks ended in a shower of sparks.

    We watched a meteor shower from the hill.

    UsageSay a shower of sparks or petals.

    Similarspray, cascade, hail, volley, deluge

    Note
  7. 7
    give lotsverbtransitive
    To give someone a lot of something, such as gifts or praise.

    Her grandparents showered her with gifts on her birthday.

    Grandparents love to shower the kids with presents.

    UsageSay shower someone with presents.

    Similarlavish, heap, bestow, inundate, deluge

    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–9, 11

From Old English sċūr, meaning a fall of rain. It goes back to older Germanic words and probably to an ancient root meaning cold wind or rain shower.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • The rain noun descends from Old English sċūr and earlier Germanic words for showers or storms. en.wiktionary.org
  • A probable ultimate source is an ancient root meaning cold wind or rain shower. en.wiktionary.org
Meaning 10

From Old English sċēawere, meaning one who watches or examines. It comes from the verb "show" plus "-er."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts