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Rainbow: meaning, definitions and examples

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rainbow

 

[ ˈreɪnboʊ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

natural phenomenon

A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when sunlight refracts, reflects, and disperses in water droplets. Rainbows typically appear as a multicolored arc and can be seen when the sun shines on wet conditions. They often symbolize hope and beauty.

Synonyms

arc of colors, natural arc, spectrum

Examples of usage

  • After the rain, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky.
  • The children were excited to see a double rainbow after the storm.
  • Legends often speak of pots of gold at the end of a rainbow.
  • We took a picture with the rainbow as our backdrop.

Translations

Translations of the word "rainbow" in other languages:

🇵🇹 arco-íris

🇮🇳 इंद्रधनुष

🇩🇪 Regenbogen

🇮🇩 pelangi

🇺🇦 веселка

🇵🇱 tęcza

🇯🇵 虹

🇫🇷 arc-en-ciel

🇪🇸 arcoíris

🇹🇷 gökkuşağı

🇰🇷 무지개

🇸🇦 قوس قزح

🇨🇿 duha

🇸🇰 dúha

🇨🇳 彩虹

🇸🇮 mavrica

🇮🇸 regnbogi

🇰🇿 кемпірқосақ

🇬🇪 ქალაქი

🇦🇿 qövs

🇲🇽 arcoíris

Word origin

The word 'rainbow' originates from the Old English terms 'regn' meaning 'rain' and 'boga' meaning 'bend' or 'arch'. Its usage can be traced back to the early Medieval period as people began to document and describe natural phenomena. Initially, the term was associated solely with the visual appearance of light in the sky after rain. Over time, it evolved to incorporate symbolic meanings across cultures, often representing hope, beauty, and peace. The way rainbows have been portrayed in art, literature, and folklore further cemented their place in human imagination. In various cultures, rainbows are seen as bridges or connections between worlds, and they have been featured in many myths and legends throughout history.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,789, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.