shower

The word “shower” means a device that sprays water over a person for washing, or the act of washing this way. In plain terms, a device or act of washing with running water, a spell of rain, or a gift party.

“Shower” is pronounced SHOW-uh (/ˈʃaʊ.ɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “shower” used in a sentence: “I need a shower after that run.”

Depending on how it is used, “shower” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “shower” comes from Old English. From Old English sċūr ("shower"), from a Proto-Germanic root probably linked to words for cold north winds.

“Shower” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Shower” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device that sprays water over a person for washing, or the act of washing this way.

A shower sprays water over you while you stand, and you wash under the running stream. A bath means soaking in a tub filled with water. Showers are usually quicker and use less water, while baths are slower and more relaxing. The words also name the acts: to shower versus to bathe.

Besides washing, a shower is a short burst of rain — 'scattered showers this afternoon.' It can also mean a party held to give gifts, such as a baby shower or bridal shower. And 'a shower of' describes a lot of something arriving at once, like a shower of sparks or a shower of praise.

A baby shower is a celebration held before a baby is born, where friends and family gather to give gifts and support to the expecting parents. The name uses 'shower' in the sense of showering someone with presents and good wishes. Bridal showers work the same way, before a wedding.

'I'm going to take a shower before work,' or 'The bathroom has a walk-in shower.' In other senses: 'We got caught in a shower on the way home,' or 'They threw her a baby shower.' Each points to spraying water, brief rain, or a gift-giving party.