Definition

Verb (transitive) To cause the postponement, cancellation, or termination of an event, especially an outdoor sporting event or performance, due to rain or adverse weather conditions.

Usage

The verb "rain out" is used to describe the action of rain forcing an event to be stopped or not held. It is typically used in the passive voice ("be rained out") or in the past participle form ("rained out").

Examples

• The baseball game was rained out in the seventh inning.
• Organizers had to rain out the outdoor concert due to the heavy downpour.
• Unfortunately, the picnic got rained out.
• The match has been rained out and will be rescheduled for next week.

Advanced Usage

• "to rain out" vs. "to wash out": While often used interchangeably in contexts like sports, "wash out" can imply physical erosion or removal by water (e.g., a road washed out), whereas "rain out" specifically refers to the cancellation of plans or events.
• Noun Form ("rainout"): The event or instance of being canceled by rain.
  • Tonight's game is the third rainout of the season.

Variants and Related Words

• Raincheck (n): A ticket or promise for a postponed event. Often used figuratively.
  • Since the tour was rained out, we all got rainchecks.
  • I'm busy tonight—can I take a raincheck on that coffee?
• Postpone (v): To delay an event to a later time.
• Cancel (v): To decide that a planned event will not happen.

Synonyms

• Call off (due to weather)
• Postpone (due to rain)
• Cancel (due to rain)

Phrasal Verbs

• Rain off: A chiefly British English variant with the same meaning as "rain out."
  • The cricket match was rained off.

Related Idioms

• It never rains but it pours: Used to say that when one bad thing happens, other bad things often happen too, making the situation worse. This idiom relates to the concept of rain causing problems, but is used for a series of misfortunes, not just event cancellations.
  • First my car broke down, and now the flight is canceled. It never rains but it pours.

Verb

1. prevent or interrupt due to rain
   • The storm had washed out the game