ENGLISH
REFERENCE

umbrella

n. · v.
US //ˈəmˌbɹɛɫə// UK //ʌmbɹˈɛlɐ// um·brel·la
  1. 1 rain protection (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a folding frame covered in cloth that you hold over your head to stay dry when it rains.

    a portable device consisting of a folding frame covered with fabric, used as protection against rain or sun.

    Example

    Don't forget to take your umbrella because the sky looks very grey.

    Example

    The sudden downpour caught the commuters by surprise, forcing those without umbrellas to seek shelter under the narrow shop awnings.
    • parasol
    • brolly
  2. 2 overarching group (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a single large organization or idea that includes many smaller ones.

    a coordinating agency or overarching category that encompasses several smaller or more specific groups or concepts.

    Example

    Several small charities work together under one large umbrella organization.

    Example

    The term 'digital media' serves as a broad umbrella for various industries, including social networking, online journalism, and streaming services.

    Usage

    often used with 'organization' or 'term'

    Teacher's tip

    This is a common business and academic metaphor for describing complex structures.
  3. 3 photography light reflector (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Photography

    a tool shaped like an umbrella used by photographers to bounce light onto a person or object.

    an umbrella-shaped reflector with a reflective inner surface used to diffuse or redirect artificial light.

    Example

    The photographer adjusted the white umbrella to make the light on the model's face softer.

    Example

    By positioning the silver umbrella at a forty-five-degree angle, the studio assistant managed to eliminate the harsh shadows behind the subject.
  4. 4 jellyfish body (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    the round, top part of a jellyfish.

    the gelatinous, dome-shaped main body of a jellyfish, excluding the tentacles.

    Example

    The jellyfish moved through the water by pulsing its umbrella.

    Example

    The researcher noted that the diameter of the jellyfish's umbrella was significantly larger than that of other specimens found in the same reef.
  5. 5 to open or spread out (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to open up or spread out into a round shape like an umbrella.

    to open, expand, or move in a manner resembling the deployment or shape of an umbrella.

    Example

    The parachute started to umbrella as the skydiver fell through the air.

    Example

    The silk of the parachute began to umbrella above him, slowing his descent just as he cleared the thickest layer of clouds.

    Usage

    often used as an intransitive verb
Origin

Borrowed from Italian ombrella (“parasol, sunshade”), from Late Latin umbrella (influenced by umbra (“shadow, shade”)), from Latin umbella, from umbra + -la (diminutive suffix).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026