DictionaryteemRain heavily
verb

teem

To rain very heavily.

Rain teems down as we hurry from the bus to shelter.

Etymology

The older verb concerns emptying or pouring out. Heavy rain is described as water pouring down in abundance.

More examples

  • Rain is teeming down, so we postpone our walk.
  • It teemed all night, leaving puddles across the yard.
  • When rain starts teeming down, the players run for cover.

Forms

teem · teems · teemed · teeming

Similar words

pour
Also describes heavy rainfall; more common in everyday American speech.
rain
Describes falling rain without specifying how heavily it falls.