26984 words

rainbow

12 definitions • 18 examples
1
an arch (= curved shape) of different colours seen in the sky when rain is falling and the sun is shining:

Examples:

The sun came out and we saw a rainbow.
The tropical butterfly's wings were shimmering with all the colours of the rainbow.
2
the effect seen when white light separates into its different colours :

Examples:

The prisms will cast rainbows on the walls.
A perfectly circular rainbow appeared in the spray as the children played in the water.
3
a combination of different colours:

Examples:

Her dress was a rainbow of shimmering gold and mauve and tan and cerise.
The huge bruise went through a rainbow - scarlet, purple and yellow, green, black and blue - before it disappeared.
4
a combination of many different things:

Examples:

She spoke about a rainbow of topics.
Here there’s a whole rainbow of different courses to choose from.
5
(used especially by people who go fishing) a rainbow trout (= a large fish with a reddish stripe along the side) :

Examples:

I caught a 2.5kg rainbow.
6

Examples:

I love your rainbow sweater!
She was wearing a rainbow wig.
The rainbow flag has become a symbol of the LGBT movement.
7
involving or including people of different races:

Examples:

the rainbow nation of South Africa
8
involving or including people who have different political ideas, or who belong to different political parties:

Examples:

He did not rule out a rainbow coalition.
9
the section of the Guides in the UK for girls aged around 4 to 7:

Examples:

Girlguiding UK is the governing body of Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides.
10

Examples:

Dad will pick you up from Rainbows tonight.
11
a girl who is a member of Rainbows:

Examples:

She has been with the Guide Association since the age of five when she was a Rainbow.
12
an arch of many colors sometimes seen in the sky for a short time when it rains and the sun is shining

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