Word
rainstorm
Phoneticsrain·storm, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹeɪnˌstɔɹm/
UK/ɹˈeɪnstɔːm/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a heavy fall of rain that lasts for a short time, often with strong wind and thunder. You stay inside during one to keep dry.
n. a period of heavy rainfall, often accompanied by strong wind, thunder, and lightning.
Examples
“A sudden rainstorm soaks our clothes on the walk home.”
“The afternoon rainstorm floods the streets, so the bus runs late and we wait under the shop roof.”
“The rainstorm that swept across the valley overnight left fallen branches on the road and filled the river to its banks.”
Examples
simple
“A sudden rainstorm soaks our clothes on the walk home.”
contextual
“The afternoon rainstorm floods the streets, so the bus runs late and we wait under the shop roof.”
complex
“The rainstorm that swept across the valley overnight left fallen branches on the road and filled the river to its banks.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “rainstorm” in context.
Verb
01. predict rainstorm
“The weather report predicted a rainstorm for tomorrow afternoon.”
verb + noun
02. rainstorm hits
“The rainstorm hit just as we were leaving work.”
noun + verb
03. rainstorm passes
“Stay inside until the rainstorm passes in an hour.”
noun + verb
04. shelter from rainstorm
“We sheltered from the rainstorm under a bus stop roof.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. heavy rainstorm
“A heavy rainstorm flooded the streets and we stayed inside.”
adj + noun
06. severe rainstorm
“The severe rainstorm damaged roofs and broke several trees.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. aftermath of rainstorm
“In the aftermath of the rainstorm, the roads were full of water.”
noun + prep + noun
08. middle of rainstorm
“Our power went out in the middle of the rainstorm.”
noun + prep + noun
09. a sudden rainstorm hit
“A sudden rainstorm hit the city during rush hour.”
10. after the rainstorm passed
“After the rainstorm passed, the sky became clear and blue.”
11. caught in a rainstorm
“We got caught in a rainstorm on our way home from school.”
12. shelter from the rainstorm
“They ran into a shop to shelter from the rainstorm.”
Real-World Examples
“A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, which can mean more severe rainstorms, and the chance of heavy rainfall is increasing over time.” “A 2024 study published by the American Geophysical Union projected a significant rise in landslide hazards across the Himalayas and Tibet in the coming decades due to increased rainstorms.” “Cloud-seeding technology may be a drop in the bucket, as it doesn't create rainstorms.” “The sudden, heavy rainstorm that fueled this catastrophic flood may have been been supercharged by the historic El Niño.” Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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