showery

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "showery" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe weather, meaning that it is raining lightly or with short bursts of heavy rain, as in "The forecast calls for showery weather today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

In order to squeeze in the four-day matches as well as a 40-over competition and a Twenty20 cup, the season now stretches from showery April to chilly September.

The Economist

The poleward-moving air is now warm and laden with moist maritime tropical air (mT); it gives rise to the warm, humid, showery climate characteristic of the Caribbean region, eastern South America, and the western Pacific island chains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"A band of showery rain is likely to move in from the west on Friday and spread to most parts, " said Gareth Harvey, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association.

Independent

It's going to be quite showery but some of the showers across the higher ground in the north could turn to snow - but only above 600m.

Independent

One showery afternoon I decided to try my hand with the forno, paddle and toppings.

Independent

Heavy showery rain moving through the west of England with the risk of hail and thunder is expected to bring snow to parts of the north of England on Wednesday, and to high ground in Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and the hills of Wales.

Independent

We had all been breathing the showery air (had the weather actually defied Ramsey? ), ready to explode in clamorous homage, when, suddenly, the final whistle went, the ninety minutes had run out.

The New Yorker

The sun came out after what had been a showery morning, allowing the celebration to take place in the garden.

The New Yorker

Tomorrow: Overcast and showery.

Independent

"Blustery, showery conditions, pretty good for links golf.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

We've been waiting for a run of sunny days to set them free, but with the lack of any non-showery days on the horizon she decided to let them go any way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "showery" to specifically describe weather featuring intermittent or brief periods of rain, distinguishing it from steady or continuous rainfall.

Common error

Avoid using "showery" to describe prolonged, continuous rainfall. "Showery" implies brief, intermittent periods of precipitation, not a constant downpour.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "showery" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something characterized by or related to showers. As Ludwig indicates, it is most commonly used in the context of weather.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "showery" functions as an adjective to describe weather characterized by intermittent rainfall. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts, to differentiate from steady rain. When writing, remember that "showery" implies brief, non-continuous periods of rain. Ludwig's analysis of authoritative sources and usage patterns confirms that the word is well-established and appropriately applied in diverse contexts. This makes it a useful and versatile term for describing specific weather conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rainy with intermittent showers

Specifies the type of rain more precisely: rain alongside showers.

characterized by showers

Focuses on the defining characteristic of the weather being showers.

scattered showers expected

Indicates that the showers are not widespread, but localized.

periods of light rain

Emphasizes the light nature of the rain and its intermittent occurrence.

intermittent rainfall

Highlights the stop-and-start nature of the rainfall.

occasional showers

Suggests that the showers are infrequent.

patchy rain

Describes the rain as being localized and uneven.

on and off rain

Informal way to describe intermittent rain.

drizzly conditions

Describes very light rain, almost mist-like.

showers at times

Highlights the temporary nature of the showers.

FAQs

How can I use "showery" in a sentence?

You can use "showery" to describe weather featuring intermittent periods of rain, like in the sentence: "The forecast predicts a "showery" afternoon with sunny intervals".

What's a good alternative to "showery"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "showery" could include "rainy with intermittent showers", "scattered showers expected", or "occasional showers".

Is it correct to say "showery weather"?

Yes, it's correct. "Showery weather" is a common and accepted phrase to describe weather conditions characterized by intermittent showers.

What is the difference between "showery" and "rainy"?

"Rainy" describes a general condition of rain, while "showery" suggests intermittent or brief periods of rain. "Rainy" might imply continuous rain, while ""showery"" specifies that the rain comes in showers.