noun
umbrella
uhm-BREHL-uh
noun
1
A portable folding frame covered in fabric, held overhead to give shelter from rain or sun.
"She opened her umbrella as the first drops of rain began to fall."
"They shared one umbrella to stay dry on the walk home."
2
A broad category or organization that covers a range of smaller groups, ideas, or purposes.
"The charity operates as an umbrella for several smaller local causes."
"All these regulations fall under the umbrella of consumer protection law."
How to Use Umbrella
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rain shield you carry, or figuratively, a broad category that groups smaller things together.
Common pairings
open an umbrella
umbrella organization
under the umbrella of
Word Forms
umbrellaed past tense, umbrellas plural, umbrellas singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “umbrella”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She opened her _____ as the first drops of rain began to fall.
Etymology
From Italian "ombrella" ("parasol"), from Late Latin "umbrella", influenced by "umbra" meaning "shade" or "shadow".