noun Common

rains

raynz

Rains (noun) means a rainy season, especially in regions with a distinct wet period each year. Example: “The village stores up grain before the rains arrive.”

noun

A rainy season, especially in regions with a distinct wet period each year.

"The village stores up grain before the rains arrive."

"Roads become impassable once the rains set in."

How to use rains

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe season of the year when heavy rain regularly falls, especially in tropical climates.

When to use it

Usually used with "the" — "the rains" — for a whole rainy season, distinct from a single shower.

Common pairings

the rains arrive during the rains before the rains

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The village stores up grain before the _____ arrive.

Synonyms

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wet season monsoon season

Rhymes for rains

mains pains brains grains Plains Stains remains curtains

See all rhymes for rains →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rains” mean?

The word “rains” means a rainy season, especially in regions with a distinct wet period each year. In plain terms, the season of the year when heavy rain regularly falls, especially in tropical climates.

How do you pronounce “rains”?

“Rains” is pronounced raynz (/ɹeɪnz/ in IPA).

How do you use “rains” in a sentence?

Here is “rains” used in a sentence: “The village stores up grain before the rains arrive.”

What part of speech is “rains”?

“Rains” is a noun.

Is “rains” a common word?

“Rains” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between 'rains' and 'monsoon'?

The rains generally refers to a rainy season, especially in regions with a distinct wet period each year, while monsoon specifically refers to the seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy rainfall to parts of Asia and Africa. Monsoon is a type of rains, but the rains can refer to wet seasons elsewhere too.

Why is 'the rains' used with 'the' and often without a singular form?

'The rains' is used as a set phrase referring to an entire recurring wet season rather than individual rain events, similar to how 'the holidays' refers to a whole period. It is almost always used in the plural with the definite article.

When do the rains typically arrive in tropical regions?

The timing varies by region, but in many tropical and subtropical areas the rains arrive during a predictable seasonal window each year, marking the shift from a dry period to a wet one.