shower
SHOW-er
/ˈʃaʊər/
A party held to give gifts to an expectant mother or bride-to-be; or a brief fall of rain.
Connotes an outpouring or abundance of gifts, affection, and warm wishes.
The story behind the word. Evolved from Old English 'scūr' referring to light rainfall. By Victorian times, the metaphor was applied to parties where friends 'rained' gifts upon a bride or mother-to-be.
Word relationships
- party: Party is general; shower specifically involves raining gifts upon a guest of honor.
- celebration: Celebration covers any happy event, whereas a shower focuses heavily on gift giving for a milestone life change.
Commonly confused with
- bath: A bath involves soaking in water; a shower is water falling from above or an event pouring gifts onto someone.
Word family
- showered (verb (past)): Lavished with gifts or attention.
Collocations
- baby shower
- bridal shower
- shower with gifts
- rain shower
Idioms & expressions
- shower someone with affection
Example sentences
- "Her sister organized a beautiful baby shower complete with games and tea sandwiches." Social event
- "Friends gathered around to shower the new parents with love and presents." Verb form
Memory hook
Gifts fall heavily like rain during a baby SHOWER. Raining gifts and joy.
When not to use
Do not use for solemn, formal, or official award ceremonies.
Fun facts
- Victorian baby showers originally involved placing gifts inside an open umbrella and dumping them over the expectant mother!
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