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

Widespread showers and thunderstorms will last through early afternoon, with the greatest risk of severe weather south of Interstate 10. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 8 May 2025

Scattered rain showers will linger through at least mid-morning for most of the Kansas City area on Thursday, but drier and warmer days are ahead, according to the National Weather Service. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025

Verb

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and while well-meaning spouses and children often shower the mom in their life with flowers and candy, that’s not always what moms are quietly longing for on their day of celebration. —Emily St. Martin, Oc Register, 9 May 2025

The Friday night crowd at Target Field groaned once Koss’ line drive found grass, then showered Paddack with applause for his efforts. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 May 2025

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

Rhymes for shower

• bower
• cower
• dour
• flour
• flower
• fower
• glower
• hour
• our
• power
• scour
• sour

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