rain
gb/ɹˈeɪn/ us/ɹˈeɪn/
A1
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
event
1
Water falling from clouds
Water that falls from the sky as small drops.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rain' (noun) with 'rains' — 'rains' is rarely used except in certain regional or seasonal contexts.
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.)
Collocations
heavy rain
|light rain
|rain shower
|rain clouds
|forecast rain
Themes
weather
|nature
|daily life
Examples
- The rain lasted all afternoon.
- Heavy rain caused flooding in the streets.
- 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.
- I forgot my umbrella in the rain.
- Rain fell on the city all night.
- We stayed inside because of the rain.
Verb
A1
action
2
To fall as water drops
When water falls from the sky as drops.
Usage pattern:
it rains [time/duration]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'rain' with a direct object, but it does not take one; we say 'it rains' not 'it rains water'.
Synonyms
drizzle (Refers specifically to very light rain.)
Antonyms
clear up (Refers to weather changing from cloudy or rainy to sunny and dry.)
Collocations
rain heavily
|rain lightly
|rain nonstop
Themes
weather
|nature
Examples
- It rained all night long.
- If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.
- 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.
- It rained yesterday evening.
- It will rain tomorrow.
- It is raining now.
Verb
B2
action
3
To fall or send down heavily
To make many things fall quickly, like rain.
Usage pattern:
to rain [objects] on/over [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with literal weather rain; context is key to understand it can be metaphorical for large amounts falling.
Synonyms
shower (Can mean to give or send many things at once, often more gently than 'rain'.)
Collocations
rain blows
|rain bullets
|rain debris
Themes
metaphor
|intensity
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The protesters rained stones on the police.
- The volcano rained ash over the nearby villages.
- 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.
- The volcano rained ash on the town.
- Fans rained cheers on the singer.
- The army rained bullets on the enemy.
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.