torrential

American  

[taw-ren-shuhl, toh-, tuh-] / tɔˈrɛn ʃəl, toʊ-, tə- /

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.

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torrential British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• torrentially adverb

Etymology

Origin of torrential

First recorded in 1840–50; torrent + -ial

Example Sentences

Polling stations in the main city, Abidjan, opened an hour late in torrential rain.

From Barron's

We also saw the familiar sight of torrential summer downpours and thunderstorms.

From BBC

Elsewhere there were also wins for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tunisia as the first round of group matches continued in Morocco, often in torrential rain.

From Barron's

An icy gale blew incessantly in concert with a torrential deluge.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s still unclear whether this storm will be naughty — with torrential downpours intense enough to cause flooding and mud or debris flows or nice, with gentle rainfall spread out beneficially over a period of days.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• teeming