noun

rain

RAYN

noun

Water falling from clouds in drops.

"We got soaked walking home in the rain."

"Heavy rain flooded several streets downtown."

verb

Of the weather, to have rain falling.

"It started to rain just as the match kicked off."

To fall or arrive in large quantities, as if raining.

"Compliments rained down on the young violinist after her performance."

How to Use Rain

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWater falling from the sky — or, more broadly, anything falling or arriving in large amounts.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "reign" (to rule) or "rein" (a strap for a horse) — all three sound identical.

Easily confused with

reign → rein →

Common pairings

pouring rain rain heavily rain check rain down on

Word Forms

rained past tense, rains plural, rain plural, rained plural, rains singular, rain singular, rained singular, rainest singular, rainedst singular, raineth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

We got soaked walking home in the _____.

Etymology

From Old English regn, an ancient Germanic word shared with German Regen and Dutch regen.

Rhymes for rain

ain pain lain gain main vain fain bain Iain Jain Cain Spain

See all rhymes for rain →