rainbow

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

Examples of rainbow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If the fish remain in freshwater, they’ll be considered rainbows. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 9 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

Red doesn't mean red anymore; red means like rainbow or something. —Pat Gallen, CBS News, 8 June 2026

How can a nation embrace rainbow branding while failing to robustly protect the very sites where LGBTQ+ liberation took root? —Diana Rodriguez, Time, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing rainbow

• rainbow fish
• 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