downpour
Americannoun
-
downpours
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of downpour
Explanation
A downpour is a rainstorm, especially a very heavy one. If you get caught unexpectedly in a downpour, you'll wish you brought an umbrella. A downpour is exactly what it sounds like: torrential, pouring rain. A downpour, even one that's brief, can cause flooding in streets and basements. In some parts of the world, there are whole seasons that regularly bring downpours, while other places experience droughts so severe that people wish for a downpour. The word has been in use since the mid-19th century.
Vocabulary lists containing downpour
Water Hazard: Words for Too Much Moisture
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Raining Cats and Dogs
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Because of Winn-Dixie
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Even a few kilometres can make the difference between a torrential downpour with thunder and lightning, and somewhere staying completely dry.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Christina Siceloff, 41 years old, can still smell a faint chemical odor after a downpour, she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
What makes things even more difficult is that it’s impossible, as of now, to pinpoint the exact time and location of a downpour, even though it can be gauged with marvelous accuracy.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
He’s made it inside just in time to escape the rain, droplets from the downpour still visible on his white T-shirt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
It began to drizzle, fast turning into a downpour.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
Rather than intense downpours, steady and prolonged rainfall is needed over the next several months to improve the situation.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
But because the ground is usually very dry, any heavy downpours lead to dangerous flash flooding and frequent lightning which increases the threat of wildfires.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
Thursday morning will get off to a wet start in southern England and south Wales, with heavy downpours accompanied by lightning, hail and squally winds.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
While good news for regions plagued by drought, significant accumulations could lead to flash flooding where the ground is too dry and hard to absorb the downpours.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Between downpours, he did a little skeet shooting at the rifle range.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
