Raining
/ˈreɪnɪŋ/
Definitions
To have precipitation in the form of water droplets falling from the sky.
/ˈreɪnɪŋ/
To have rain falling from the sky.
It is raining cats and dogs.
💡 Simply: When water drops are falling from the sky, like a giant shower for the Earth, we say it's raining. Think of your umbrella – you use it when it’s raining!
👶 For kids: When water falls from the sky, it is raining.
More Examples
It has been raining all morning.
We are hoping it stops raining before the picnic.
How It's Used
"The weather forecast says it will be raining all day."
"It's heavily raining outside right now. We should stay indoors."
Idioms & expressions
raining cats and dogs
To rain heavily.
"It's raining cats and dogs outside! We should stay inside."
From Old English *regnian*, from *regn* 'rain' + -ing, the present participle suffix. The word has been in use since before 1000 AD.
The word 'raining' has been used since the Old English period to describe the act of rain falling from the sky. The idiom 'raining cats and dogs' appeared much later.
Memory tip
Imagine the 'rain' pouring down, and it's 'ing' because it's happening now!
Word Origin
"to cause rain to fall"