rainmaker

American  

[reyn-mey-ker] / ˈreɪnˌmeɪ kər /

noun

1. (among American Indians) a medicine man who by various rituals and incantations seeks to cause rain.

2. a person who induces rainfall by using various scientific techniques, as the seeding of clouds with silver iodide crystals from an airplane.

3. Slang. an executive or lawyer with exceptional ability to attract clients, use political connections, increase profits, etc..

   The president has several rainmakers among his advisers.

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rainmaker British  

/ ˈreɪnˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. (among Native Americans) a professional practitioner of ritual incantations or other actions intended to cause rain to fall

2. informal an influential employee who creates a great deal of business or revenue for his or her firm

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Other Word Forms

• rainmaking noun

Etymology

Origin of rainmaker

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75; rain + maker

Explanation

If someone has a reputation as a rainmaker at work, it means that she has an almost uncanny ability to generate new business, attract clients, gather investments, or otherwise help the company succeed. This figurative meaning of rainmaker is the most common, especially in the business world. Rainmakers have a magic touch, or extremely good luck. It's as though everything they're involved with at work helps their employer make money. The original sense of rainmaker is literally "person who makes the rain fall," and you can also use it for a Native American leader of ritual rain dances or a scientist who seeds clouds to make rain fall.

Example Sentences

Industry observers say that while Supreme Court lawyers hardly haul in the revenue of a rainmaker, they can help burnish firms’ reputations and drive more profitable appellate work their way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

But in light of reports that peer firms Kirkland & Ellis and Sullivan & Cromwell promptly began pursuing Paul, Weiss’ clients and rainmaker partners, its concerns may seem more understandable.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2025

In some areas, the storm proved to be a rainmaker more prolific than even experienced meteorologists had anticipated.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2024

He also signed on to be DeSantis’ rainmaker in Washington state going ahead.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 19, 2023

After that, Chen lived apart as a rainmaker, neither relatives nor the monks willing to bring lightning upon themselves.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston