rainbow

1 of 2

noun

rain·​bow ˈrān-ˌbō 

1

: an arc or circle that exhibits in concentric bands the colors of the spectrum and that is formed opposite the sun by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in raindrops, spray, or mist

2

a

: a multicolored array

b

: a wide assortment or range

a rainbow of flavors

3

[from the impossibility of reaching the rainbow, at whose foot a pot of gold is said to be buried] : an illusory goal or hope

4

: rainbow trout

rainbowlike

ˈrān-ˌbō-ˌlīk 

adjective

rainbow

2 of 2

adjective

1

: having many colors

2

: of, relating to, or being people of different races (see race entry 1 sense 1a) or cultural backgrounds

a rainbow coalition

Synonyms

Adjective

• chromatic
• colored
• colorful
• kaleidoscopic
• motley
• multicolored
• multihued
• polychromatic
• polychrome
• prismatic
• varicolored
• varied
• variegated
• various

Examples of rainbow in a Sentence

Adjective

the rainbow costumes worn by mummers at Mardi Gras

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The county board of supervisors voted last year to require that many government buildings — including lifeguard facilities — fly the rainbow flag, which has extra stripes representing people of color and transgender and nonbinary people, throughout Pride month. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

All the colors of the rainbow are beautiful, but red has recently caught the attention of the masses — in particular, red light. —Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2024

Adjective

The Garvin flies both a rainbow Pride flag and a Black Lives Matter flag, prompting the occasional shouted slur. —Brian Owens, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2023

While DeSantis was speaking, a protester stood up and held up a rainbow Pride flag. —Tori Otten, The New Republic, 18 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rainbow

• rainbow fish
• rainbow runner
• rainbow trout

Kids Definition

rainbow

noun

rain·​bow

ˈrān-ˌbō

: an arc or circle of colors that appears in the sky opposite the sun and is caused by the sun shining through raindrops, spray, or mist

Medical Definition

rainbow

noun

rain·​bow ˈrān-ˌbō 

slang

: a combination of the sodium derivatives of amobarbital and secobarbital in a blue and red capsule