Rainy describes weather when water falls from the sky in the form of raindrops. A rainy day might mean wearing boots and carrying an umbrella to school, while a rainy season in tropical places can bring daily downpours for months.

Rain happens when water vapor in clouds condenses into droplets heavy enough to fall to Earth. Some places are naturally rainy: Seattle, Washington gets rain about 150 days per year, while rainforests can receive over 100 inches annually. Other places, like deserts, might go years without rain.

The word often carries different feelings depending on context. A rainy afternoon might mean staying inside with a good book, while farmers celebrate rainy weather that helps their crops grow. A rainy forecast might disappoint someone planning a beach trip but delight a gardener whose vegetables need water.

People also use “rainy day” in the phrase saving for a rainy day, which means setting aside money or resources for future problems or emergencies. Just as you'd want an umbrella ready when storm clouds gather, having savings means you're prepared when unexpected challenges arrive.