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Added 8 October 2026

rainbow

/ˈɹeɪnboʊ/ noun

Categories: NatureMind & IdeasUncommon Words

In Latin: arcus, iris Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about rainbow at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. An arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain.
  2. An illusory hope.
    chasing rainbows

Origin

From Middle English reynbowe, raynbowe, from Old English reġnboga (“rainbow”), from Proto-West Germanic *regnabogō, from Proto-Germanic *regnabugô (“rainbow”), equivalent to rain + bow (“arch”). Cognate with West Frisian reinbôge (“rainbow”), Dutch regenboog (“rainbow”), German Regenbogen (“rainbow”), Danish regnbue (“rainbow”), Swedish regnbåge (“rainbow”), Icelandic regnbogi (“rainbow”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: arcwindowindigofrycratheirissteelheadtroutarc-en-cielrayedspectrum

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