torrential

[taw-ren-shuhl, toh-, tuh-]

adjective

1. pertaining to or having the nature of a torrent.

2. resembling a torrent in rapidity or violence.

3. falling in torrents.

   torrential rains.

4. produced by the action of a torrent.

5. violent, vehement, or impassioned.

6. overwhelming; extraordinarily copious.

torrential

/ tə-, tɒˈrɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a torrent

2. pouring or flowing fast, violently, or heavily

   torrential rain

3. abundant, overwhelming, or irrepressible

   torrential abuse

Other Word Forms

• torrentially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of torrential¹

First recorded in 1840–50; torrent + -ial

Example Sentences

Toilets ran out of water, torrential thunderstorms flooded the venue, and delegates struggled to cope in hot, humid rooms.

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Outside it is dark and the rain is torrential, but inside there is a warm feeling.

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“Due to the fact this storm became an atmospheric rain torrential downpour we had 2 choices — cancel or move to next weekend,” Tyler said in a post on Instagram.

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Last year, in torrential rain, Verstappen won in Sao Paulo after starting 17th.

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The alert also came more than 12 hours after the national weather agency had issued its highest alert level for torrential rains.

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Related Words

• teeming