umbrella
uhm-BREHL-uh
Umbrella (noun) means a portable folding frame covered in fabric, held overhead to give shelter from rain or sun. Example: “I left my umbrella on the bus again, so I got soaked.”
noun
1
A portable folding frame covered in fabric, held overhead to give shelter from rain or sun.
"I left my umbrella on the bus again, so I got soaked."
"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.
"Many local clubs now work together under one umbrella group."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- umbrellas
- Third person singular
- umbrellas
- Past tense
- umbrellaed
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I left my _____ on the bus again, so I got soaked.
Etymology
From Italian "ombrella" ("parasol"), from Late Latin "umbrella", influenced by "umbra" meaning "shade" or "shadow".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for umbrella
See all rhymes for umbrella →Frequently asked questions
What does “umbrella” mean?
The word “umbrella” means a portable folding frame covered in fabric, held overhead to give shelter from rain or sun. In plain terms, a rain shield you carry, or figuratively, a broad category that groups smaller things together.
How do you pronounce “umbrella”?
“Umbrella” is pronounced uhm-BREHL-uh (/ʌmˈbɹɛl.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “umbrella” in a sentence?
Here is “umbrella” used in a sentence: “She opened her umbrella as the first drops of rain began to fall.”
What is another word for “umbrella”?
Words with a similar meaning to “umbrella” include chatta, chatra, rainshade, parapluie, gamp and bumbershoot.
What part of speech is “umbrella”?
“Umbrella” is a noun.
Where does the word “umbrella” come from?
The word “umbrella” comes from Late Latin. From Italian "ombrella" ("parasol"), from Late Latin "umbrella", influenced by "umbra" meaning "shade" or "shadow".
Is “umbrella” a common word?
“Umbrella” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “umbrella” have?
“Umbrella” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a portable folding frame covered in fabric, held overhead to give shelter from rain or sun.
What is the difference between an umbrella and a parasol?
Both are handheld canopies on a folding frame, but an umbrella is designed mainly to keep off rain, while a parasol is a lighter version made to provide shade from the sun. The word "parasol" comes from roots meaning "for the sun."
What is the difference between an umbrella and a canopy?
An umbrella is portable and handheld, opening and closing on a small frame you carry, while a canopy is a larger or fixed overhead cover, such as one over a doorway, bed, or market stall. The key difference is that an umbrella moves with you.
What is the difference between an umbrella and a "brolly"?
"Brolly" is an informal, affectionate word for an umbrella, common in British and Australian English. It means exactly the same thing but has a casual, everyday tone rather than a formal one.
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