How to describe rain: Descriptive words and adjectives for different types

There are many different types of rain, so it makes sense that we would have a lot of vocabulary to describe rain.

Here we’ll look at some wonderful descriptive words for rain, from adjectives to verbs to idioms. Get inspired to describe rain according to how it looks, sounds and smells, or just express in basic terms what the weather is like today.

Words to describe rain

You may wish to describe rain in a very practical way. For example, if you are going outside in this weather, you need to know whether to take an umbrella, or perhaps consider catching a bus instead of walking.

See also: Whether vs if

However, there are other situations when you may need a more poetic way to describe rain, focusing not just on how much of it there is, but how it looks, smells or sounds.

So, we’re going to begin with some common idioms and phrases to describe rain in everyday conversation. Then, we will cover some more descriptive words for rain, for those who wish to explore other aspects of it.

How to describe rain falling

The following descriptive words for rain are grouped according to the type of rain that they describe, from light to heavy.

Describing light rain

Drizzle

Drizzle is a steady but very light rain, almost mist-like. ‘Drizzle’ can be a noun or a verb, and you may use ‘drizzly’ as an adjective for rain like this.

Spitting

When it is spitting, the rain is falling quite slowly and gently. Often it starts spitting and then turns into heavier rain.

A shower

A shower is a quick burst of fairly light rain. You might have heard of April showers, which are characteristic of spring weather. We have more idioms about spring here.

Describing heavy rain

Pouring (down)

You can say ‘it’s pouring’ or ‘it’s pouring down’ when the rain is steady and heavy. This description of rain is used in the nursery rhyme, It’s Raining, It’s Pouring.

A downpour

Also featuring the word ‘pour’, a downpour is a short but sudden burst of heavy rain.

Bucketing down / raining buckets

‘Bucketing down’ and ‘raining buckets’ both describe heavy and persistent rain.

Tipping (it) down

This is a primarily British expression for heavy rain.

Chucking it down

Here’s another phrase to describe heavy rain, again usually heard in the UK.

Pissing (it) down

Why do the British have so many ways to talk about bad weather?! This one is rude slang, so be careful how you use it. You should be certain that the person you are speaking to is comfortable with this kind of language. ‘Pissing’ is an informal word for urinating.

Raining cats and dogs

This one is a fun idiom to describe rain! Whoever thought to imagine cats and dogs falling from the sky? Anyway, it’s just another way to describe rain falling heavily.

A deluge

A deluge of rain is a large amount that falls suddenly, possibly causing flooding.

Torrential

Torrential rain is very heavy and lasts for a long time. This is the type of rain you may experience in countries with a monsoon season.

Driving

Driving rain is accompanied by strong wind that blows it into the sides of buildings (or straight in your face, if you’re caught out in it).

Incessant

You could describe rain as ‘incessant’ if it has been going on for a long time and feels like it will never end.

Pelting

Pelting rain seems to have particularly large raindrops that fall very hard.

If you do get caught in heavy rain you might end up ‘soaked through’ or ‘dripping wet’; these both mean that you and your clothes are very wet!

Example sentences to describe different types of rain

Let’s look at how some of these words can be used in sentences:

• I don’t think I need an umbrella; it’s only spitting.
• It’s drizzling at the moment but I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts chucking it down soon.
• Unfortunately for Liz, it poured down all day on her wedding day.
• It’s been bucketing down all afternoon but I hope it stops before the party.
• Look at those clouds! Let’s get inside before it starts tipping down.
• You’d better take your umbrella; it’s raining cats and dogs outside.
• Let’s go home, it looks like it’s going to piss it down soon.
• The village was hit by a deluge. Fortunately, there was no serious damage to any property.
• I have had enough of this incessant rain!
• We’ve had light showers all morning but it looks like the afternoon will be brighter.
• Sorry I’m late; I got caught in a downpour and had to wait until it had passed.
• You can expect torrential rain if you visit during November.

Words to describe how rain sounds

If you’re indoors, the first sign of rain may be the sound it makes. Here are some words that describe rain according to the sound it makes:

Light rain

• Pattering
• Pitter-patter
• Gentle
• Sprinkling

“She woke to the pitter-patter of rain falling outside.”
“The rain was almost too gentle for me to hear.”

Moderate/heavy rain

• Hammering
• Splattering
• Drumming
• Pelting
• Pounding

“I could hear the pounding rain approaching before I could see it.”
“They lay listening to the rain drumming on their roof.”

What’s the word for the smell of rain?

Petrichor is the technical word for the smell of rain hitting dry ground. Many people consider this their favorite smell, but may not realize that there is a word for it!

Other words you could use to describe the smell of rain include:

• Fresh
• Clean
• Fragrant
• Musty
• Damp
• Earthy
• Musky

Describing rainy weather

Finally, here are some words to describe the weather in general when it is rainy:

• Grey
• Gloomy
• Dismal
• Overcast
• Unsettled
• Wet
• Ominous
• Miserable

Many of the terms we have to describe rain are negative, as it’s usually an inconvenience for us. However, let’s not forget that rain is necessary for life to survive and for crops and plants to grow, so we shouldn’t always complain about it.

If you’re looking for more ways to describe different kinds of weather, some weather idioms could come in handy.

Have you heard any different ways to describe rain? If so, please leave a comment to share them.