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

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

Read more on Barron's

Hurricane Melissa's winds dipped to a still "powerful" storm, as it passed Tuesday over Jamaica, where it landed with historic ferocity and torrential rains.

Read more on Barron's

With Jamaica's mountainous terrain, torrential rainfall could trigger landslides, while heavy damage to hotel infrastructure could batter the tourism-dependent economy for years, she warned.

Read more on Barron's

At least three people are known to have died and hundreds of homes have been flooded in Haiti as Melissa brought torrential rainfall to the island of Hispaniola.

Read more on BBC

Winter downpours brought a torrential river cascading down Yucca Trail, which lies between the leveled lodge and the bunkhouse.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• teeming