rain
gb/ɹˈeɪn/ us/ɹˈeɪn/
A1
English
~ 1600
eső, esik, záporozik, zúdít
NOUN
A1
1
eső
A1
The rain lasted all afternoon.
Egész délután esett az eső.
Heavy rain caused flooding in the streets.
A heves eső miatt elöntötte a víz az utcákat.
We decided to cancel the picnic because of the rain.
The sound of rain on the roof was relaxing.
Rain is expected later this evening.
Learner examples
The rain is very strong today.
Ma nagyon esik az eső.
I forgot my umbrella in the rain.
Elfelejtettem esernyőt vinni az esőben.
Rain fell on the city all night.
We stayed inside because of the rain.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rain' (noun) with 'rains' — 'rains' is rarely used except in certain regional or seasonal contexts.
Meaning
Water falling from clouds
Collocations
heavy rain
|light rain
|rain shower
|rain clouds
|forecast rain
Synonyms
precipitation (A more technical or general term for water falling from the sky, including rain, snow, etc.)
Antonyms
sunshine (Refers to bright sunlight, typically occurring when there is no rain.)
Themes
weather
|nature
|daily life
Definition
Water that falls from the sky as small drops.
Water that falls from the sky in drops, formed from condensed moisture in the atmosphere.
VERB
A1
2
esik
A1
Usage pattern:
it rains [time/duration]
It rained all night long.
Egész éjjel esett az eső.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.
Ha holnap esik az eső, bent maradunk.
It rarely rains in this desert region.
It started to rain just as we arrived.
It will rain later according to the forecast.
Learner examples
It rains a lot in my city.
A városomban sokat esik az eső.
It rained yesterday evening.
Tegnap este esett az eső.
It will rain tomorrow.
It is raining now.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'rain' with a direct object, but it does not take one; we say 'it rains' not 'it rains water'.
Meaning
To fall as water drops
Collocations
rain heavily
|rain lightly
|rain nonstop
Synonyms
drizzle (Refers specifically to very light rain.)
Antonyms
clear up (Refers to weather changing from cloudy or rainy to sunny and dry.)
Themes
weather
|nature
Definition
When water falls from the sky as drops.
For water to fall from the sky in drops due to precipitation.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to rain [objects] on/over [someone/something]
The protesters rained stones on the police.
A tüntetők kőzáport zúdítottak a rendőrökre.
The volcano rained ash over the nearby villages.
A vulkán hamuesőt zúdított a közeli falvakra.
Critics rained complaints on the new policy.
They rained punches on their opponent.
The sky seemed to rain sparks during the fireworks.
Learner examples
They rained flowers on the winners.
Virágesővel árasztották el a győzteseket.
The volcano rained ash on the town.
A vulkán hamuesőt zúdított a városra.
Fans rained cheers on the singer.
The army rained bullets on the enemy.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with literal weather rain; context is key to understand it can be metaphorical for large amounts falling.
Meaning
To fall or send down heavily
Collocations
rain blows
|rain bullets
|rain debris
Synonyms
shower (Can mean to give or send many things at once, often more gently than 'rain'.)
Themes
metaphor
|intensity
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
To make many things fall quickly, like rain.
To fall or cause to fall in large numbers or amounts, resembling rain in abundance or manner.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rain
IPA
GB/ɹˈeɪn/
US/ɹˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
rain (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rain)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rain
- Plural: rain, rains
Verb
- Base: rain
- 3rd Person Singular: rains
- Present Participle: raining
- Past: rained
Word family
Expressions
rain cats and dogs
1/ɹˈeɪn kˈæts ˈænd dˈɔɡz/
idiom
informal
Rain very heavily
To rain a lot and very hard.
Examples
- It’s raining cats and dogs outside, so take an umbrella.
- We couldn’t go out because it was raining cats and dogs all afternoon.
right as rain
1/ɹˈaɪt ˈæz ɹˈeɪn/
idiom
informal
Completely healthy or fine
To be completely healthy or in good condition again.
Examples
- After a good night’s sleep, I felt right as rain.
- Don’t worry, you’ll be right as rain in no time.
come rain or shine
1/kˈʌm ɹˈeɪn ˈɔɹ ʃˈaɪn/
idiom
No matter what happens
No matter what happens, in any situation.
Examples
- She goes jogging every morning, come rain or shine.
- She walks her dog every morning, come rain or shine.
- The event will be held come rain or shine.
- The market is open every Saturday, come rain or shine.
rain check
1/ɹˈeɪn t͡ʃˈɛk/
fixed phrase
informal
Postpone accepting an offer
To say you want to do something later instead of now.
Examples
- I can’t join you tonight, but I’ll take a rain check.
- Can I take a rain check on dinner? I'm busy tonight.
- He offered me a drink, but I had to take a rain check.
- They offered me a rain check for the sold-out concert.
save for a rainy day
1/sˈeɪv fɚ ə ɹˈeɪni dˈeɪ/
idiom
Keep money for future problems
to not spend some money now so that you can use it later when you have problems or really need it
Examples
- I’m saving this money for a rainy day.
- My grandparents taught me to save for a rainy day instead of spending every dollar I earn.
- You should save some food for a rainy day.
- She puts a little of her paycheck into savings each month to save for a rainy day.
- You don't need to spend it all; save some for a rainy day.