rainfall

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'rainfall' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the amount of rain that falls in a particular area or over a certain period of time. For example: "The average rainfall in this region is 150 millimetres per year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Spy agencies fund climate research in hunt for weather weapon, scientist fears Like so many military experiments, these trials failed but cloud seeding became a reality in 1967/8 when the US's Operation Popeye increased rainfall by an estimated 30% over parts of Vietnam in an attempt to reduce the movement of soldiers and resources into South Vietnam.

The Guardian

In Katine, the two rainy seasons each year have been disrupted, with rainfall now irregular.

The Guardian

On this day, the megacity received 944mm of rainfall – the average amount for the entire season, and a 100-year high.

The Guardian

And the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has said that, while Australia has high natural rainfall variability, "it seems likely that drying across southern Australia cannot be explained by natural variability alone".

The Guardian

This mechanism leads to worsened drought even if rainfall patterns are unchanged.

The Guardian

There's been some confusion about the human influence on the drought because two studies published this year didn't find a connection to the lack of rainfall.

The Guardian

If the heavens open As the lush greenery of the Gower suggests, there's plenty of rainfall here, although the area fares better than most in Wales during the summer months.

The Guardian - Travel

The climate researchers from US and Indian universities identified 620 of the world's urban areas with a population over 250,000 and then chose 217 which were situated close to an international weather station with rainfall, wind and temperature records stretching back to 1973.

The Guardian

With an annual rainfall of mere millimetres, the visibility in the waters of Eilat is stunning, and easy access to the oceans a real plus.

The Guardian - Travel

Communities to the south of Nhulunbuy were likely to have experienced the destructive winds associated with the storm's eye, gusting around 160km/h, and very heavy rainfall.

The Guardian

Parts of the Dakotas saw record rainfall over the weekend.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing changes in "rainfall", specify the timeframe (e.g., daily, monthly, annual) and geographic region for clarity.

Common error

Avoid treating "rainfall" as a count noun. It refers to an amount, so use "amount of rainfall" or "heavy rainfall" rather than "many rainfalls".

Linguistic Context

The word "rainfall" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the amount of rain that falls within a specific period or region. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in describing climate patterns, weather events, and environmental conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "rainfall" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun referring to the amount of rain in a specific area or time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appropriate for many contexts. Analysis of Ludwig's examples shows that "rainfall" is most commonly found in News & Media and Science, reflecting its importance in reporting weather events and climate studies. To ensure clarity, specify timeframes and regions when discussing rainfall. Avoid using "rainfall" as a count noun; instead, opt for phrases like "amount of rainfall". Synonyms include "precipitation level" and "rain volume", each with slightly different nuances. The consistency and prevalence of "rainfall" in authoritative sources make it a reliable and valuable term for both casual and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rain volume

Specifically refers to the quantity or capacity of rain.

annual rain

Similar to annual rainfall, but emphasizes rain only.

precipitation level

Refers to the amount of precipitation, which includes rain, snow, sleet, or hail, not exclusively rain.

amount of precipitation

Indicates the quantity of precipitation, encompassing all forms of moisture falling from the sky.

level of precipitation

Describes the degree or extent of precipitation, which may include rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

precipitation amount

Indicates the quantity of precipitation, encompassing all forms of moisture falling from the sky.

downpour quantity

Highlights the amount of heavy rain or a sudden, intense rainfall.

rate of precipitation

Expresses how quickly precipitation, including rain, snow, sleet, or hail, falls.

precipitation rate

Expresses how quickly precipitation, including rain, snow, sleet, or hail, falls.

annual precipitation

Refers to the total precipitation, not exclusively rain, for a year.

FAQs

How do I use "rainfall" in a sentence?

You can use "rainfall" to describe the amount of rain in a specific location, like "The average "annual rainfall" in Seattle is high". It can also be used to discuss changes in precipitation patterns.

What are some synonyms for "rainfall"?

Alternatives include "precipitation", "rain volume", or "precipitation level". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "rainfall" and "precipitation"?

"Rainfall" specifically refers to the amount of rain, while "precipitation" is a broader term that includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Is it correct to say "rainfalls"?

No, "rainfall" is generally used as an uncountable noun. You would typically refer to "periods of heavy rainfall" or "amounts of rainfall" rather than "rainfalls".