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

Explanation

If it's raining extremely hard, then the rain is torrential — it's absolutely pouring. Use torrential to describe something that's happening in torrents, or turbulent flowing streams. When there's a torrential storm, there's so much rain falling so fast that you'll be soaked in about three seconds. If a basketball team's offense just keeps coming and won't stop, you could call it a torrential attack. And if you take your sister's shoes without asking, she might shower you with a torrential tongue-lashing.

Example Sentences

Last year, 80 percent of Bogus Basin’s pile survived torrential rainstorms and stretches of record summer heat.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026

The term refers to warmer-than-average waters along the equatorial Pacific that can influence weather across the globe, raising the odds of searing drought in some regions and torrential rain in others.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

And more torrential rains are expected, with much of Southern California still under a flood watch, according to the National Weather Service.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

Amid a torrential downpour, Jack Dempsey powered through from close range to reduce the deficit.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

Snowfall is never known there, neither long frost of winter, nor torrential rain, but only mild and lulling airs from Ocean bearing refreshment for the souls of men— the West Wind always blowing.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

Related Words

• teeming