umbrella
Pluralumbrellas
Pluralumbrellas
- 1A folding device with a cloth top that keeps the rain or sun off you.
Like a little roof you can carry in your hand.
She opened her umbrella as soon as the rain started.
We sat under a big umbrella to stay out of the hot sun.
UsageYou open an umbrella and stand under it.
Similarparasol, brolly, sunshade
Note
- 2A single thing that covers or includes many different groups or ideas together.
Like one big tent that many different groups can stand under together.
The big charity works as an umbrella for many smaller clubs.
'Sport' is an umbrella that covers running, swimming, and many games.
UsageSay under the umbrella of, or an umbrella term.
Similarframework, aegis, canopy
Note
- 3Something that keeps a person or group safe, like a cover held over them.
Like a big cover that keeps you safe from harm.
The new law acts as an umbrella that keeps workers safe.
Their savings gave the family an umbrella against hard times.
UsageSay an umbrella against danger.
Similarshield, protection, cover, shelter, safeguard
Note
Less common meanings
- 4A round reflector shaped like an umbrella, used to soften and spread light for photos.
Like bouncing sunlight off a white wall to make it gentle.
The photographer pointed the flash into a silver umbrella.
A white umbrella softened the harsh light from the studio lamp.
Note
- 5The rounded main part of a jellyfish, not counting its long tentacles.
Like the round top of a mushroom, but soft and see-through.
The jellyfish's umbrella was as clear as glass.
The jellyfish pushed itself along by squeezing its umbrella.
Similarbell
Note
- 6To cover or guard something the way an umbrella keeps off the rain.
Huge pine and eucalyptus umbrellaed the grounds, airconditioning the morning.
2008, Jonathan Kellerman, Bad Love: Alex Delaware 8 - 7To open out into a rounded dome shape, like an umbrella that has been opened.
Bright yellow gowns fit them tightly and umbrellaed from their waist to just below the knees.
2011, B. A. Rothwell, The Peaceful Queen - 8In hockey, a power-play setup with three attackers in a high curve and two close to the other team's net.
- 9To move by pulsing and drifting through water, the way a jellyfish does.
The light catches the filigreed tendrils and graceful motion of the jellies, their orange bodies umbrella-ing along like fairy parasols come to life.
1997, National Geographic Traveler
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Origin
It comes from the Italian word "ombrella," meaning a sunshade. This came from the Latin word "umbra," meaning shadow.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Umbrella comes from Italian ombrella, meaning a sunshade. en.wiktionary.org
- Italian ombrella ultimately derives from Latin umbra. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin umbra means shadow. en.wiktionary.org