Definitions

rainbow

[reyn-boh] / ˈreɪnˌboʊ /

NOUN

color spectrum

Synonyms

STRONG

arc bow crescent curve prism variegation

WEAK

band of color

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another name for rainbow?

Literally speaking, a rainbow is an arc (bow) of colors that appears in the sky due to rays of sunshine being reflected and refracted by raindrops (or other water droplets). The word rainbow is also commonly used to refer to any artistic representations of this. Technically speaking, a rainbow can be classified as a primary rainbow or a secondary rainbow. Together, they can form a double rainbow. Triple rainbows are very rare. Rainbow is also commonly used as an adjective that means containing all or many colors of the spectrum (the main ones being red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet—aka roygbiv). Synonyms of this sense include multicolored (or multicolor), kaleidoscopic, and prismatic. Kaleidoscopic suggests something full of bright colors in a way that’s reminiscent of the images seen when looking through a kaleidoscope. Prismatic is a reference to the rainbow-colored when light shines through a prism. Extended from this is a more general sense of rainbow that’s applied to anything featuring a diverse collection of people or things, as in rainbow coalition. Rainbows and rainbow flags are popularly used as symbols of the LGBTQ+ community.

What is another way to say sunshine and rainbows?

Sunshine and rainbows is an idiom used to refer a situation that’s completely positive in all aspects. The phrase is most often used in negative constructions to imply that such situations are rare or impossible (and that it’s naive to think that they’re not), as in Marriage is not all sunshine and rainbows. Phrases used to mean the same thing often use some of the same terms in varying combinations: sunshine and lollipops, unicorns and rainbows, sunshine and puppies. The phrase peaches and cream can mean the same thing, but it’s more often used in positive constructions. The phrase sweetness and light is somewhat similar, but it’s usually applied to people, as opposed to situations. Singles words that can mean the same thing are rosy and rose-colored.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

rainbow rainbows

The little boy adds a bright rainbow, a shining sun and a tall tree to his illustration, while other displaced children paint alongside him at a shelter in Pereira.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Then on Christmas morning, the sun broke through and a rainbow appeared.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

He is also expected to try to defend his Road World Championships rainbow jersey in Montreal, Canada, just a week after La Vuelta finishes.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

Inspired by chef Fabio Trabocchi’s recipe for sautéed rainbow chard, my recipe is abundantly green and calls for 1/3 cup of chicken stock.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026

I put my strawberry glazed with rainbow sprinkles on the counter.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

“There are storm clouds on the ground, but rainbows and sunshine in the air,” said Mark Coleman, chief commercial officer at Intervine, which helps wineries get their bottles on airlines like Delta and United.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

“This situation is clearly not all sunshine and rainbows, it’s cold and foggy.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026

"This is not going to be the festival of rainbows and kisses as it was in the past," he told AFP.

From Barron's ● Dec. 17, 2025

They overlaid effects onto their selfies, transforming their faces into cute dogs and even puking rainbows.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 26, 2025

On days like this the Wall shimmered bright as a septon’s crystal, every crack and crevasse limned by sunlight, as frozen rainbows danced and died behind translucent ripples.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Vocabulary lists containing rainbow

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