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

Derived Forms

• torˈrentially, adverb

Other Words From

• tor·rential·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of torrential¹

First recorded in 1840–50; torrent + -ial

Example Sentences

In addition to the torrential rain and frequent lightning, the storm has also produced some small hail.

From Washington Post

As the climate crisis continues, bringing extreme weather events like hard-to-contain wildfires, extended heat waves, droughts, and torrential rains or flooding, more of the world’s population will be exposed to those events.

From Popular-Science

In addition to torrential rain and frequent lightning, the storm may produce damaging wind gusts to 60 mph as well as some hail.

From Washington Post

The rain was torrential, and the neighboring village was already flooding.

From Washington Post

Some parts of the world are starting to experience more torrential rain than they ever expected.

From Popular-Science

But the jokes flow at such a torrential pace that duds are soon forgotten; the best are even Spamalot-worthy.

From The Daily Beast

Sheets of torrential rains pouring down over the Land Rover sent its four wheels plunging into the mud.

From The Daily Beast

Recent turnout has been massive, with over 150,000 people gathering for the ceremony even when there were torrential downpours.

From The Daily Beast

Recent torrential rains in Rome flooded the only area where they are allowed to go outside.

From The Daily Beast

I spent today in the Johannesburg Stadium, among 70,000 people who attended despite the torrential rain.

From The Daily Beast

The thought of the biscuits troubled her, and the picture of them lying exposed in one of the torrential rains.

From Project Gutenberg

The torrential rains made the footing bad, and in the dim light it was hard to see what was coming.

From Project Gutenberg

Their home planet is a place of ever-clouded skies and constant torrential rains.

From Project Gutenberg

Torrential rain fell on the car and came dripping in from the juncture of the landaulette roof.

From Project Gutenberg

For three weeks of torpor Blake sat in the shadowy hotel, watching the torrential rains that deluged the coast.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• teeming