rainy

[ rey-nee ]

adjective

, rain·i·er, rain·i·est.

1. characterized by rain:

   rainy weather; a rainy region.

2. wet with rain:

   rainy streets.

3. bringing rain:

   rainy clouds.

rainy

/ ˈreɪnɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by a large rainfall

   a rainy climate

2. wet or showery; bearing rain

Derived Forms

• ˈrainily, adverb
• ˈraininess, noun

Other Words From

• raini·ly adverb
• raini·ness noun
• un·rainy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rainy¹

before 1000; Middle English reyny, Old English rēnig. See rain, -y ¹

Example Sentences

During the cold, rainy winters, the flying insects that are the woodpeckers' preferred diet disappear and the birds depend on the nuts in these pantries.

From Popular-Science

Nighttime temperatures often dip below freezing in these rainy tropical highlands.

From Science News

If you’re headed to the coast, go in the springtime or midsummer to avoid the rainy seasons, which run from May to mid-July and mid-November to mid-January.

From Outside Online

Short-term forecasts like those in your smartphone’s weather app are based on the observations that feed into them, such as whether it is currently rainy in Northern California or whether there are strong winds over central Alaska.

From Science News

The Water Authority also dipped into its rainy day reserve fund up to a limit set by its board of directors to keep the rate increase for consumers lower.

From Voice of San Diego

Then she managed to struggle a mile through dark, rainy woods.

From The Daily Beast

There were mats everywhere and it was like a big rainy-day sleepover with most of the cast.

From The Daily Beast

In the lean rainy season, the women switched out meat and oily sauces for vegetables.

From The Daily Beast

Potholes are common in the rainy region as well as a heavy fog that often hinders visibility.

From The Daily Beast

It was a very rainy summer—the summer Arthur Ashe won Wimbledon against Jimmy Connors, which I watched in the pub.

From The Daily Beast

In that part, it was little better than a morass, from the occasional overflowing of the waters at the rainy seasons.

From Project Gutenberg

That we will, and you never need want, Mark, for I've many a fine bone buried away against old age and rainy weather.

From Project Gutenberg

In the rainy season they fear firearms but little, for they know that they are of less effect than none at all.

From Project Gutenberg

On rainy or melancholy days Edna went out and sought the society of the friends she had made at Grand Isle.

From Project Gutenberg

During the rainy season, most of these cliffs and rocks are covered with water, and the river then appears more majestic.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• damp
• moist
• stormy
• wet