rainy

[rey-nee]

adjective

rainier, rainiest 

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

Other Word Forms

• rainily adverb
• raininess noun
• unrainy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rainy¹

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

Example Sentences

“But we’ve been planning for a rainy day, and this certainly is that rainy day.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Irreecha is celebrated by the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, and takes place at the end of the country's main rainy season.

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She had begun to recognize individual chimps, and on a rainy October day in 1960, she spotted the one with white hair on his chin.

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Inside, a 2,700-square-foot greenhouse is home to over 1,000 butterflies, perfect for wandering on a rainy afternoon—or really any afternoon.

Read more on Salon

Precipitation outlooks for the month of October — which marks the officials start of California’s rainy season — did not show an uptick in rainfall.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• damp 
• moist 
• stormy 
• wet