To cause an outdoor event to be cancelled or stopped because of rain.
When it rains so much that an outdoor event has to stop or be cancelled.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
(American English, usually passive) To cause an outdoor event to be cancelled or stopped because of rain.
"Saturday's game was rained out and rescheduled for Monday."
The doubleheader was rained out and will be made up later this season.
— ESPN, 2021
To force someone out of an outdoor space or activity because of rain.
"We were rained out of the campsite after three days of non-stop downpours."
Rain causing something to be 'out' (finished/cancelled).
When it rains so much that an outdoor event has to stop or be cancelled.
Chiefly American English. Like 'rain off,' most commonly used in the passive: 'The game was rained out.' Very frequent in sports reporting, especially baseball.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "rain out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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