rainfall
3 synonyms for rainfall, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The amount of rain that falls in a given place over a given period.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use rainfall
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
average rainfall
heavy rainfall
annual rainfall
Etymology
From "rain" + "fall" — literally the falling of rain, later used for the measured amount that falls.
Full origin of rainfall →Frequently asked questions
What does “rainfall” mean?
The word “rainfall” means the amount of rain that falls in a given place over a given period. In plain terms, how much rain falls somewhere, usually measured over a day, month, or year.
How do you use “rainfall” in a sentence?
Here is “rainfall” used in a sentence: “Annual rainfall in the region has dropped sharply over the past decade.”
What part of speech is “rainfall”?
“Rainfall” is a noun.
Is “rainfall” a common word?
“Rainfall” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between rainfall and precipitation?
Rainfall specifically refers to the amount of rain that falls in a given place over a given period, while precipitation is a broader term that also includes snow, sleet, and hail. All rainfall is precipitation, but not all precipitation is rainfall.
How is rainfall measured?
Rainfall is typically measured as the depth of water that accumulates over a flat surface in a given period, usually recorded in millimeters or inches using a rain gauge.
