rain
rain
Pronunciation
/reɪn/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in the syllable:
/r/: Voiced alveolar approximant
/eɪ/: Diphthong (a glide from the vowel /e/ to the vowel /ɪ/)
/n/: Voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
As a Noun:
Singular: rain (e.g., "There was a light rain this morning.")
Plural: rains (e.g., "The monsoon rains are essential for agriculture." This plural form often refers to specific periods or types of rainfall.)
As a Verb:
Base form/Present Simple (for most subjects): rain (e.g., "It might rain later.")
Present Simple (third person singular): rains (e.g., "It rains almost every day here.")
Past Simple: rained (e.g., "It rained all night.")
Present Participle/Gerund: raining (e.g., "It is raining heavily now." or "I enjoy listening to the rain falling.")
Past Participle: rained (e.g., "It has rained for hours.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: Moisture condensed from the atmosphere that falls visibly in drops to the earth, often in a continuous shower or downpour, vital for life and often associated with weather patterns.
Synonyms: precipitation, rainfall, shower, downpour, drizzle, sprinkle, cloudburst
Antonyms: drought, aridity, dryness, sunshine (in the context of lack of rain)
Definition: A metaphorical abundance or falling of a multitude of small, distinct items or occurrences, often in a continuous or overwhelming manner.
Synonyms: deluge, flood, cascade, shower, outpouring, stream, hail
Antonyms: scarcity, dearth, lack, trickle
Verb
Definition: To fall as condensed atmospheric moisture in drops to the earth.
Synonyms: precipitate, pour, drizzle, shower, sprinkle, teem (down), bucket (down)
Antonyms: dry (up), clear (up), cease, stop
Definition: To cause to fall or distribute in a continuous or abundant stream, often referring to non-liquid items or abstract concepts.
Synonyms: shower, pour, deluge, distribute, bestow, lavish, hail
Antonyms: collect, gather, withhold, retain, receive
Examples of Use
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"Heavy rain caused significant flooding across parts of Germany and Belgium in July 2021, leading to widespread disruption." (The Guardian)
"Farmers in the Rift Valley are hoping for timely short rains this October to ensure a good harvest." (Daily Nation)
"The tech company decided to rain bonuses on its employees after a record-breaking quarter." (Forbes)
Books:
"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents..." (Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Paul Clifford, 1830)
"The first rain of the season always brought with it a sense of renewal, washing away the dust and heat of the long dry spell." (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah, 2013)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music: "I can feel the rain on your skin" (Adele, "Someone Like You," 2011)
Film: In the movie Singin' in the Rain, Gene Kelly famously dances through a downpour, singing "I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain..." (1952)
Television Series: "The forecast for tomorrow is clear, no rain expected for the weekend." (A local news weather report segment, depicted in various TV series)
Video Games: "Beware, the acid rain in this zone will quickly deplete your health." (In-game dialogue from a post-apocalyptic video game)
General Public Discourse:
"Don't forget your umbrella; it looks like it's going to rain this afternoon." (A friend to another, discussing daily weather)
"We need this rain badly; the crops are suffering from the drought." (A farmer speaking to a neighbor)
"The opposition party tried to rain criticism down on the new policy, but it largely went unnoticed." (A political commentator on a talk show)
10 Quotes Using Rain
"Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." (Bob Marley)
"Into each life some rain must fall." (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." (Langston Hughes)
"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
"A little rain each day will fill the rivers to overflow." (African Proverb)
"Don't threaten me with a good time, just let it rain!" (Mickey Newbury)
"I believe in the sun even when it's not shining. I believe in love even when I don't feel it. I believe in God even when He is silent. I believe in rain even when there is no cloud in the sky." (Attributed to various sources, often Holocaust survivors)
"It's raining men! Hallelujah! It's raining men! Amen!" (The Weather Girls, "It's Raining Men")
"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow." (Gilbert K. Chesterton)
"The rain begins with a single drop." (Manal al-Sharif)
Etymology
The word "rain" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots far back into the origins of the English language.
Its journey begins in Old English, the earliest form of English spoken before 1150 AD. Here, the word was "reġn" or "rēn", directly meaning "rain" or "the descent of water in drops through the atmosphere." This is the first known use and meaning that aligns with our current understanding of the word.
From Old English, "rain" can be traced further back to its Proto-Germanic ancestor, **regn or regną. This shows that the word for "rain" was already established and similar across many early Germanic languages (like Old Frisian, Old High German, Old Norse, and Gothic).
Beyond Germanic, the exact origin becomes a bit uncertain, but linguists believe it might connect to an even older Proto-Indo-European root, possibly Hreǵ-, meaning "to flow," or perhaps even reg-, meaning "moist, wet." So, in essence, the core idea of "flowing water" or "wetness" has been associated with "rain" for thousands of years.
The meaning of the word has remained remarkably consistent over time. From its earliest appearances in Old English texts, "rain" referred to the atmospheric phenomenon we know today. While its usage has expanded to include figurative meanings (like a "rain of blows"), its primary and original sense has always been about water falling from the sky.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Rain
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "rain":
Rain check: A promise to repeat an invitation or offer at a later date.
To rain cats and dogs: To rain very heavily.
Come rain or shine: Whatever the weather or circumstances may be; in any event.
To rain on someone's parade: To spoil someone's plans or good mood.
As right as rain: Perfectly well or healthy.
To save for a rainy day: To save money for a time when it might be needed, especially in an emergency or when one is out of work.
To know enough to come in out of the rain: To have enough sense to take appropriate action in a situation.
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain: A famous phonetic exercise from My Fair Lady, not an idiom, but widely recognized.
A rainmaker: A person who brings in a lot of business or money to an organization.
To be in a rain cloud: To be feeling gloomy or sad (less common, but understandable).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of rain from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
