rainy day

American  

noun

1. a time of need or emergency.

   saving money for a rainy day.

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rainy day British  

noun

1. a future time of need, esp financial

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Other Word Forms

• rainy-day adjective

Etymology

Origin of rainy day

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

The United Center hosted an NHL game on Thursday and after an unseasonably warm, rainy day in Chicago, the court was not playable 24 hours later.

From BBC

The final rainy days in 2025 helped pull California out of drought conditions, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

One rainy day 40 years ago, Moylan was headed to a meeting across Ford’s campus and hopped in a company car.

From The Wall Street Journal

The final rainy days of 2025 helped pull California almost completely out of drought conditions, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Buffett has long prided himself on maintaining a strong balance sheet with plenty saved up for a rainy day.

From The Wall Street Journal