cloudburst UK /ˈklaʊdˌbɜːst/US /ˈklaʊdˌbɝst/ noun2 •A sudden heavy rainstorm.[B]ut the sound . . . expressed an utter abandonment to grief; not the cloud-burst of some passing emotion, but the slow down-pour of a whole heaven of sorrow. — 1899 •(figurative) A sudden downfall or shortcoming. formscloudbursts