rainbow

A curved band of different colours in the sky, seen when sunlight passes through drops of rain.

• Look at the rainbow in the sky.
• A rainbow appeared after the storm.
• Have you ever seen two rainbows together?

Similar words: iris

Common phrases: see a rainbow, double rainbow

A wide range of different things, often with many colours or types.

• The garden offered a rainbow of colours.
• The shop sells a rainbow of fabrics.
• We tasted a rainbow of flavours at the festival.

How to use it: a rainbow of something (The stall displayed a rainbow of silk scarves.)

Similar words: array, assortment, variety

Common phrases: rainbow of colours, rainbow of possibilities

Something attractive that seems possible but cannot really be reached or achieved.

• His promised fortune was only a rainbow.
• She spent her life chasing rainbows of fame.
• Those hopes proved to be rainbows that vanished by morning.

Similar words: illusion, mirage

Opposites: reality

Common phrases: chase a rainbow, empty rainbow

Having many different bright colours.

• She wore a rainbow scarf.
• We baked a rainbow cake.
• The children painted rainbow stripes on the wall.

Similar words: multicoloured, colourful

Opposites: monochrome

Common phrases: rainbow colours, rainbow flag, rainbow cake

Related to prepared lists of coded password values used to discover passwords.

• The attacker used a rainbow table.
• Adding a unique salt helps prevent rainbow attacks.
• Rainbow tables can reveal poorly protected passwords.

Common phrases: rainbow table, rainbow attack

To give something many bright colours arranged like those in the sky after rain.

• The artist rainbowed the wall with bright paint.
• Coloured ribbons rainbowed the plain white dress.
• Sunlight through the glass rainbowed the floor.

Similar words: colour, decorate

Common phrases: rainbow something, rainbow the walls, rainbow the sky