shower

1 of 3

noun (1)

show·​er ˈshau̇(-ə)r 

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

ˈshau̇(-ə)r-ləs 

adjective

showery

ˈshau̇(-ə)-rē 

adjective

shower

2 of 3

verb

showered; showering; showers

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

ˈshau̇(-ə)r-ər 

noun

shower

3 of 3

noun (2)

show·​er ˈshō-ər 

: one that shows : exhibitor

Phrases

to the showers

: out of the ball game

a pitcher sent to the showers

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• hail
• rain
• storm

Verb

• heap
• lavish
• pour
• rain

Examples of shower in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a shower of books fell from the collapsing shelves

a shower of insults and curses rained down on the criminal as he was led through the crowd

Verb

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Because the peak lasts nearly 24 hours, the shower will be visible starting around 9 or 10 p.m. local time anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, though the best moment to catch the show is during the later hours of the night and predawn. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024

Snow showers later in the week are possible due to cold fronts that will sweep rain to the east side of the state, bringing cooler air into the area Tuesday night through Wednesday night, according to the NWS in Detroit/Pontiac. —Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

When the performance ended, the audience showered the performers with cheers and whistles, a testament to the popularity of Japanese anime. —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2024

While Mary was showering, Anchali, the mischievous 12-year-old, was getting in on the action too—by messing with Mary’s water flow. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing shower

• baby shower
• bridal shower
• golden shower
• meteor shower
• shower bath
• shower/bathing cap
• shower cap
• shower gel

Kids Definition

shower

1 of 2 noun

show·​er ˈshau̇(-ə)r 

1

a

: a short fall of rain over a small area

b

: a similar fall of sleet, hail, or snow

2

: something resembling a shower

a shower of sparks

3

: a party where gifts are given especially to a bride or pregnant woman

4

: a bath in which water is sprayed on a person

also : a device for providing such a bath

shower

2 of 2 verb

1

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

2

: to bathe in a shower

3

: to wet with fine spray or drops

4

: to provide in great quantity

showered them with attention