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 a rainy weather forecast means the sun's rays will not be able to light the parabolic mirror used by actresses in the garb of ancient priestesses.

Read more on Barron's

But experts say that, despite the auspicious start, it’s still too soon to say how the rest of California’s traditional rainy season will shape up.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On a recent rainy day, Dietz drove over the Cumberland River into East Nashville, a neighborhood caught up in the funding cuts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Don’t put away those umbrellas just yet: Even more rain is expected to hit Los Angeles on Thursday, continuing what’s been an unusually early and wet start to the rainy season.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“What do you say we take her home? From rainy England to the sun-bleached sands of the Sahara!”

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• damp 
• moist 
• stormy 
• wet