rain

Water that falls from clouds in small drops.

• The rain has stopped.
• We walked home in the rain.
• Heavy rains flooded the fields last week.

Similar words: rainfall

Common phrases: heavy rain, in the rain, light rain

A large number of things falling through the air together.

• A rain of stones hit the roof.
• We sheltered from a rain of falling glass.
• The fire sent a rain of sparks over the yard.

How to use it: a rain of something (A rain of sparks fell onto the floor.)

Similar words: shower

Common phrases: rain of sparks, rain of bullets, rain of stones

When this happens, drops of water fall from clouds.

• It is raining outside.
• It rained all night.
• Will it rain tomorrow?

How to use it: it rains (It rains a lot here in winter.)

Common phrases: rain heavily, rain all day, rain again, rain hard

To send or deliver many things quickly, one after another.

• The boxer rained blows on his opponent.
• Critics rained insults on the director.
• The soldiers rained bullets on the building.

How to use it: rain something on someone/something (The boxer rained punches on his opponent.); rain down something on someone/something (They rained down criticism on the new leader.)

Similar words: shower

Common phrases: rain blows, rain something on someone, rain down something