Definition

A sudden, brief, and intense rainstorm, often with strong winds.

Example

The weather forecast warned of a rainsquall approaching the coast this afternoon.

Conversation

Did you see that rainsquall coming in earlier?

Yeah, it looked pretty intense from my window!

I thought it was going to flood the streets.

Good thing it passed quickly; I really didn’t want to get soaked!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Rainsquall → It is formed from "rain" (from Old English *regn*, meaning water droplets falling from the sky) and "squall" (from Middle English *squale*, meaning a sudden, sharp gust of wind). The word "rainsquall" describes a sudden, brief, and intense rainstorm often accompanied by strong winds.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sudden burst of 'water droplets' ('rain') being driven by a 'sharp gust of wind' ('squall') — that's what a rainsquall is.

Visually Confused Words