WordGarden.iorainstorm
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈeɪnstɔːm/
US
- /ˈreɪnˌstɔrm/
Meanings
Noun
a storm with heavy rain
Beyond the definition
A rainstorm is a period of heavy rain, often with dark clouds, strong wind, thunder, or lightning. It is more intense than ordinary rain and can change the mood of a day very quickly. One moment the sky is calm, and the next the streets are shining with water and people are hurrying for shelter. A rainstorm can feel dramatic and beautiful, but it can also flood roads, slow traffic, and ruin outdoor plans.
Imagine a warm afternoon suddenly growing darker as thick clouds move in. Large drops begin to fall, then the rain becomes fast and heavy. That is the feeling this word carries. You might say, "The picnic was ruined by the sudden rainstorm," or "We waited inside until the rainstorm passed."
A rainstorm is a storm that brings a large amount of rain over a short time or for several hours. It is stronger than a light shower or normal steady rain and often comes with dark clouds, gusty wind, thunder, or lightning. When people use this word, they usually mean weather that feels sudden, heavy, and hard to ignore.
Rainstorms can be short and sharp, with rain beating down for only a few minutes, or they can last much longer and cause real problems. They may flood streets, reduce visibility, delay travel, damage plants, or keep people indoors. In everyday life, the word is common in stories, weather reports, and conversation: "A rainstorm moved through before dinner," or "They got caught in a rainstorm on the way home."
The word is mainly literal, describing actual weather. It can sometimes appear in vivid or poetic writing to suggest force, noise, or emotional intensity, but that is less common than the basic weather meaning. Most of the time, when someone says "rainstorm," they simply mean a strong spell of rainy weather that arrives with energy and leaves everything wetter, darker, and changed for a while.
Examples
- 1
Everyday travel
We got caught in a rainstorm on the way home.
- 2
Sports delay
The game was delayed because of a sudden rainstorm.
- 3
Aftermath
After the rainstorm passed, the streets were covered in leaves and branches.
- 4
Seasonal weather
Summer rainstorms can flood these roads in minutes.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Weather forecast
The forecast says rainstorms will move through the area overnight.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- clear weather
- drought
Used with (collocations)
- heavy rainstorm
- sudden rainstorm
- caught in a rainstorm
- rainstorm warning
Explore
- precipitation
- flash flood
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- rainstormnoun
Forms
- rainstormspluralnoun