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 of rainbow

Adjective

• colorful
• colored
• varied

Examples of rainbow in a Sentence

Adjective

the rainbow costumes worn by mummers at Mardi Gras

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Magnotta is part of a network of vets nationally, called CodaPet that helps animals cross over the rainbow bridge from the comfort and familiarity of their own home. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026

Show how to slide them onto a skewer, then let your kid practice making rainbows and different patterns. — Michelle Crouch, Parents, 14 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Players whose teams wore Pride Night caps had the option to wear their everyday, non-rainbow hats. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 19 June 2026

The numbers on the backs of player jerseys were rainbow, and there were constantly pride/rainbow graphics popping up on the jumbotron. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026

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 flag
• rainbow runner
• rainbow trout

Rhymes for rainbow

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

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