Meaning & use

rain

noun·Everyday

Water that falls from clouds in drops, formed when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses.

See it in a sentence

Heavy rain flooded the streets and forced the school to close for the day.

Compliments rained down on the young violinist after her stunning performance.

A note on using this word

Used figuratively, 'rain' can describe anything arriving in large quantities, as in questions or praise raining down on someone.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To fall as rain, or to fall or come down heavily and abundantly, often figuratively.

It rained steadily throughout the night, and the river had risen by morning.

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