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.

---

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

---

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

Los Angeles motorists and pedestrians aren’t the only ones who struggle to navigate torrential rain.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

Despair hung over two cities in southeastern Brazil on Wednesday as rescuers and residents searched for 33 people missing after torrential rains unleashed flooding and landslides that killed at least 36.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

Drenched to the skin by torrential rain, they unloaded the shells from a baggage car, lifted them over their heads, and hustled down to the river to stow the boats and inspect their new quarters.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

• teeming