gullywasher

American

[guhl-ee-wosh-er, -waw-sher] / ˈgʌl iˌwɒʃ ər, -ˌwɔ ʃər /

noun

Chiefly Midland and Western U.S.

a usually short, heavy rainstorm.

Etymology

Origin of gullywasher

First recorded in 1900–05; gully ¹ + washer

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.

We do not presume to dictate, but, if it pleases Thee, send us, not a gentle sizzle-sizzle, but a sod-soaker, O Lord, a gullywasher.

From The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come by Fox, John

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023