Rainy

Rainy is an adjective used to describe weather in which rain is falling or expected to fall. It derives from rain, the liquid precipitation, with the suffix -y forming a word meaning “characterized by” or “having.” In meteorological terms, rain refers to liquid water droplets that descend from clouds, typically larger than 0.5 millimeters in diameter.

The term can describe current conditions (it is rainy today), forecasted conditions (rainy weather is on the way), or a broader climate tendency (a rainy climate). It does not specify the intensity of rainfall; rain can range from light showers to heavy downpours. For more precise descriptions, terms such as drizzle, shower, or downpour are used.

Regional usage often involves the concept of a rainy season, a period with prolonged or intensified rainfall associated with monsoons or seasonal climate shifts. In tropical and subtropical areas, the rainy season is a defining feature of the year and supports agriculture and water resources. In temperate zones, rainy spells may occur at various times of the year and are influenced by regional weather patterns and systems.

Culturally and practically, rainy weather affects daily life, including transportation, outdoor activities, clothing choices, and planning. The word appears frequently in weather forecasts, journalism, and everyday speech, and while it can carry figurative associations in literature, its primary meaning remains literal: rain is occurring or expected.