What does "rainmaker" mean?
Someone or something that causes or attempts to cause rain to fall.
Rainmaker
/ˈɹeɪnmeɪkə/ noun, slang
noun, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Someone or something that causes or attempts to cause rain to fall.
- Grammar: rainmaker is listed as noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: aeronaut, aeroplaner, aeroplanist, air pilot.
- Useful contrasts: cost center, donor drought, drought.
- Usage evidence: It is the uncertainty of rainfall in southern California that doubtless makes this region attractive to the rainmaker. […] An examination into the methods of the rainmaker shows a disregard of physical laws, and a review of the history of rainmaking affords no proof of his success. By far the most important feature of his work consists in playing upon the credulity of mankind.
How to use "rainmaker"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "rainmaker" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "rainmaker" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "rainmaker" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "rainmaker" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "rainmaker" is acting as noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "aeronaut" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "rainmaker", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Someone or something that causes or attempts to cause rain to fall.
"It is the uncertainty of rainfall in southern California that doubtless makes this region attractive to the rainmaker. […] An examination into the methods of the rainmaker shows a disregard of physical laws, and a review of the history of rainmaking affords no proof of his success. By far the most important feature of his work consists in playing upon the credulity of mankind."
- 2 American Indian medicine man who attempt to make it rain wordnet
- 3 Someone or something that causes or attempts to cause rain to fall.; A medicine man, shaman, or the like, who seeks to induce rain through performing rituals, as in African or Native American cultures.
"Drought is the inherent vice of the climate of Africa, and the frequent destruction of the hopes of the husbandman which occurs from this cause, might have given origin to the function of "Rainmaker," among a less superstitious population. […] To procure rain, an ox is killed; the fat of it is chopped and mixed with different kinds of wood and leaves of trees; the whole are then burned. The secret of the business is to gain time by various artifices, until the rainmaker sees clouds arising in that direction from which rain generally comes."
- 4 executive who is very successful in bringing in business to their company or firm wordnet
- 5 Someone or something that causes or attempts to cause rain to fall.; A person who seeks to induce rainfall through scientific methods, such as cloud seeding.
"Rainmakers consider seeding Bangkok sky as PM2.5 returns to ‘safe’ level [title] […] The Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department is preparing to seed clouds above Bangkok in an attempt to ease the capital’s smog problems."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A person having the ability to generate business, raise funds, or otherwise engineer success for a company, organization, etc. US, figuratively, informal
"The law firm relied heavily on Charlotte as its main rainmaker to bring in new clients."
- 7 A batted ball that is hit very high into the air. informal
"The slugger is known for hitting rainmakers."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"It is the uncertainty of rainfall in southern California that doubtless makes this region attractive to the rainmaker. […] An examination into the methods of the rainmaker shows a disregard of physical laws, and a review of the history of rainmaking affords no proof of his success. By far the most important feature of his work consists in playing upon the credulity of mankind."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "rainmaker"?
Common synonyms include: aeronaut, aeroplaner, aeroplanist, air pilot, airman, airplanist.
How do you use "rainmaker" in a sentence?
It is the uncertainty of rainfall in southern California that doubtless makes this region attractive to the rainmaker. […] An examination into the methods of the rainmaker shows a disregard of physical laws, and a review of the history of rainmaking affords no proof of his success. By far the most important feature of his work consists in playing upon the credulity of mankind.
How do you pronounce "rainmaker"?
Pronounced /ˈɹeɪnmeɪkə/.
Etymology
From rain + maker.