Does your story have a sub-plot that takes place at night with heavy rainfall? Here are 10 words to describe a rainy night to help you write that part of your novel.
1. Bleak
Definition
- Unwelcoming or unappealing.
- Seeming to be hopeless.
Examples
“As the sun set, the rain started to draw in. The rest of their date night was looking as bleak as the weather.”
“Party animals to the core, they weren’t going to let the bleak, rainy night stop them from having a good time, even if they got soaked to the core.”
How it Adds Description
Nobody really likes going out in the rain, especially on a dark night. The situation can seem incredibly unwelcoming, making “bleak” a perfect choice to describe it! It also gives a sense of hopelessness, either through canceled plans or through bringing a miserable atmosphere.
2. Damp
Definition
Slightly wet, but in a way that is not pleasant.
Examples
“After coming in from the rain, his damp clothes clung to his skin.”
“The rain had left everything damp to the touch. She felt sorry for anyone who still had to stay out in this weather.”
How it Adds Description
“Damp” is a great way to describe the effect that a rainy night has on the things that it touches in your story. Often the effects of rain linger after it has gone, and often this is less than enjoyable for characters experiencing it, especially if something big has happened in your story during the rain.
3. Dismal
Definition
- Dark and sad.
- Very bad.
Examples
“As she walked home from the party, the rain seemed to sum up a really dismal evening.”
“As he opened the curtains, a dismal outlook greeted him: he could see the rain coming down in droves illuminated by the street lights as it pattered onto the sidewalk.”
How it Adds Description
A rainy night isn’t something that everyone enjoys, and so “dismal” can help to sum it up nicely! It gives ideas of sadness and hopelessness, especially as we all know that sinking feeling when we look out of the window and are faced with a downpour! Often rain in stories is synonymous with bad or sad events, and “dismal” can help to add to this as a descriptive word.
4. Dreary
Definition
- Boring.
- Likely to make someone feel sad.
Examples
“The girl stared out at the rain streaking its way down the window. A dreary night to match the endless boredom of being stuck in the middle of nowhere with her aunt.”
“After such a dreary and dull day, it didn’t look like the night would bring anything different with it.”
How it Adds Description
Bad weather, especially consistent bad weather, can often be considered “dreary”. Often, as it stops people from being able to do enjoyable things, it can lead to them being bored or feeling down. Rainy nights can certainly bring down the mood, especially if your characters have big plans!
5. Gloomy
Definition
- Dark and with low visibility.
- Sad or lacking hope.
Examples
“The rain was pouring down, making the gloomy night even more dark and perilous for the two children lost in the forest.”
“The only reprieve from the dark were flashes of thunder that lit up the gloomy night.”
How it Adds Description
A rainy night will often be “gloomy”. This word helps to show how dark it is, often not helped by the rain, but also how it makes your characters feel. Very dark places can also be fraught with danger, great if your rainy night is extra perilous for your characters!
6. Sodden
Definition
Extremely wet, usually by absorbing a lot of liquid.
Examples
“As the rain continued, the ground grew more sodden underfoot, leading to many of the men losing their footing.”
“After such torrential rain, when they finally found him in the morning he was sodden, cold, and altogether miserable.”
How it Adds Description
“Sodden” will help you to be able to describe the effects that a rainy night has on your story, especially a heavy downpour. Often, things will be soaked long after the rain has stopped.
7. Torrential
Definition
Very heavy rain.
Examples
“Despite the torrential rain, thousands gathered under the floodlights in the stadium to watch the band perform.”
“If there was to be another night of torrential rain, the town did not know whether their flood defenses would hold until morning.”
How it Adds Description
“Torrential” is a word usually used to describe rain, so it makes sense to be a great word to use in your writing about a rainy night, especially if it is raining hard! It gives the impression of unrelenting rain that is coming down in droves rather than just a drop or two, and also implies a sense of force.
8. Turbulent
Definition
- Strong and sudden in movement.
- Involving sudden changes.
Examples
“The weather tonight was turbulent, gently hitting the windowpane one moment, and threatening to separate it from its frame the next.”
“Turbulent rain and winds battered the ship, as its captain desperately tried to follow the beam of the lighthouse to shore.”
How it Adds Description
“Turbulent” can not only describe the force of the weather on your rainy night, but also the changeability of the weather. It could be that a downpour is quick to occur or finish, or it fluctuates in strength, either way, this word works in both scenarios!
9. Unabating
Definition
Not weakening or slowing down in intensity.
Examples
“The rain was unabating, this was now the second week of nonstop downpours. Elodie had had enough at this point.”
“The unabating rain chipped away at his spirits as he continued to trudge his way towards the safety of the camp.”
How it Adds Description
If your rainy night doesn’t seem like it is going to end or let up, try using “unabating” to describe it! Often rain can demotivate your characters, especially if it continues for a long time.
10. Unwelcoming
Definition
Not giving an impression of being comfortable or making someone feel happy.
Examples
“The unwelcoming sound of the rain met her ears before she even reached the door to answer it on that eventful night.”
“It would have been an amazing evening with the man she loved, had the rain not made an unwelcome appearance for their picnic under the stars.”
How it Adds Description
If it is a rainy night, the chances are you aren’t going to want to go out into it. As a result, “unwelcoming” is a great way of showing how this weather might make your characters feel.