Rain or rein?
rain is a noun meaning “Condensed water falling from a cloud”; rein is a noun meaning “A strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other…”. They sound the same (/ɹeɪn/). In written English (wordfreq, 2021 data) rain is about 22 times as common as rein.
What is the difference between rain and rein?
| rain | rein | |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | noun, verb | noun, verb |
| Meaning | Condensed water falling from a cloud Any matter moving or falling, usually through air, and especially if liquid or otherwise figuratively identifiable with raindrops To have rain fall from the sky | A strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other animal or young child An instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing To direct or stop a horse by using reins |
| Example | We've been having a lot of rain lately | The government is attempting to keep a rein on rising prices |
| Forms | rains | reins |
| Pronunciation | /ɹeɪn/ /ɹæɪn/ /ɾen/ | /ɹeɪn/ |
| In writing | 51 times per million words | 2.3 times per million words |
Sources: rain and rein in the English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0); written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
Every current meaning of rain and rein
rain
- 1
Condensed water falling from a cloud
We've been having a lot of rain lately
- 2
To have rain fall from the sky
Judging by the black cloud, it will rain later today
- 3
Any matter moving or falling, usually through air, and especially if liquid or otherwise figuratively identifiable with raindrops
- 4
To fall as or like rain
Tears rained from her eyes
- 5
An instance of particles or larger pieces of matter moving or falling through air
A rain of mortar fire fell on our trenches
- 6
To issue (something) in large quantities
The boxer rained punches on his opponent's head
rein
- 1
A strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other animal or young child
- 2
To direct or stop a horse by using reins
- 3
The inward impulses; the affections and passions, formerly supposed to be located in the area of the kidneys
- 4
Acronym of repetitive electrical impulse noise
- 5
An instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing
The government is attempting to keep a rein on rising prices
- 6
To restrain; to control; to check
- 7
To obey directions given with the reins
Source: the English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0); obsolete, archaic, dialect and rare senses left out.
Which is more common, rain or rein?
rain appears 51 times per million words; rein 2.3 times per million words.
rain 51 times per million wordsrein 2.3 times per million words
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).