shower

noun show·er \ ˈshau̇(-ə)r \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of shower

1 a :a fall of rain of short duration

b :a similar fall of sleet, hail, or snow

2 :something resembling a rain shower

a shower of statistics

; especially :a fall of meteors which belong to a single group and whose trails appear to originate at the same point in space

3 :a party given by friends who bring gifts often of a particular kind

a bridal shower

4 :a bath in which water is showered on the body; also :the apparatus that provides a shower

—

showerless

play \ˈshau̇(-ə)r-ləs\ adjective

—

showery

play \ˈshau̇(-ə)-rē\ adjective

— to the showers

:out of the ball game

a pitcher sent to the showers

Origin and Etymology of shower

Middle English shour, from Old English scūr; akin to Old High German scūr shower, storm, Latin caurus northwest wind

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

shower

verb

Definition of shower

intransitive verb

1 :to rain or fall in or as if in a shower

letters showered on him in praise and protest

2 :to bathe in a shower

transitive verb

1 a :to wet (as with water) in a spray, fine stream, or drops

b (1) :to cause to fall in a shower

factory chimneys showered soot on the district

(2) :to cause a shower to fall on

showered the newlyweds with rice

2 :to give in abundance

showered her with honors

—

showerer

play \ˈshau̇(-ə)r-ər\ noun

See shower defined for English-language learners

Examples of shower in a Sentence

Please shower before using the pool.
Sparks from the machine showered onto the floor of the garage.
Rice showered down on the newlyweds as they left the church.

First Known Use of shower

15th century

shower Synonyms

Synonyms

heap, lavish, pour, rain

Related Words

gush, stream; flood, inundate, overflow, overwhelm, swamp; bombard, hail

Near Antonyms

hold back, keep, reserve, retain, withhold

shower

noun show·er \ ˈshō-ər \

Definition of shower

:one that shows :exhibitor

First Known Use of shower

15th century

SHOWER Defined for English Language Learners

shower

verb

Definition of shower for English Language Learners

: to wash yourself by using a shower
: to fall on someone or something in the way that rain falls from the sky
: to provide (someone) with something in large amounts

SHOWER Defined for Kids

shower

noun show·er \ ˈshau̇-ər \

Definition of shower for Students

1 :a short fall of rain over a small area

2 :a large number of things that fall, are given off, or happen at the same time

a shower of sparks

a shower of praise

3 :a bath in which water is sprayed on the body or a device for providing such a bath

4 :a party where gifts are given especially to a woman who is about to be married or have a baby

shower

verb

Definition of shower for Students

showered; showering

1 :to wet with fine spray or drops

A passing car showered us with muddy water.

2 :to fall in or as if in a shower

Live sparks and red coals showered down with the smoke.
—Janet Shaw, Meet Kirsten

3 :to provide in great quantity

We showered them with gifts.

4 :to bathe in a shower

Learn More about shower

See words that rhyme with shower Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shower Spanish Central: Translation of shower Nglish: Translation of shower for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shower for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shower

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up shower? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

shower

Definition of shower

showerless

showery

From the M-W Editors

Origin and Etymology of shower

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

shower

Definition of shower

showerer

Examples of shower in a Sentence

First Known Use of shower

shower Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

shower

Definition of shower

First Known Use of shower

Phrases Related to SHOWER

Related Phrases

SHOWER Defined for English Language Learners

shower

Definition of shower for English Language Learners

SHOWER Defined for Kids

shower

Definition of shower for Students

shower

Definition of shower for Students

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