The main difference between a parasol and an umbrella is its size and purpose. Parasols are smaller and lighter than umbrellas (or significantly larger in the case of beach and patio parasols) and are used only to shade people from the sun. They also tend to be made from fabric that may or may not be waterproof.Click to see full answer. Accordingly, can an umbrella be used as a parasol?The term umbrella is traditionally used when protecting oneself from rain, with parasol used when protecting oneself from sunlight, though the terms continue to be used interchangeably. Often the difference is the material used for the canopy; some parasols are not waterproof.Also Know, can you use a parasol in the rain? Parasols are for sun protection, umbrellas are for rain protection. You can waterproof any cotton parasol if you’d like to use it in the wet. (Maybe not a lace one, though.) As a very general rule of thumb; if it’s made of waterproof nylon, it’s an umbrella. Subsequently, question is, what is a sun umbrella called? An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs, which is usually mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is designed to protect a person against rain or sunlight. There are also combinations of parasol and umbrella that are called en-tout-cas (french for ‘in any case’).How would you describe an umbrella?Here are some adjectives for umbrella: last-ditch kinetic, crumpled, black, red, outlandish, slender clerical, inverted chinese, avuncularly benevolent, glamorous white, rotten nineteenth-century, big monogrammed, wide, unseen, flat and bony, indestructible german, unwieldy white, much-coveted testimonial, prostrate