torrential

adjective

tor·​ren·​tial tȯ-ˈren(t)-shəl 

tə-

1

a

: relating to or having the character of a torrent

torrential rains

b

: caused by or resulting from action of rapid streams

torrential gravel

2

: resembling a torrent in violence or rapidity of flow

torrentially

tȯ-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē

tə- 

adverb

Examples of torrential in a Sentence

The rain caused torrential flooding.

Recent Examples on the Web

Any stronger, slow-moving thunderstorms bringing torrential rain could trigger isolated areas of flash flooding where the heaviest rain falls. —Daniel Peck, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025

Federal forecasters say the system in the Northeast will bring periods of torrential rain to much of New England, especially Maine, as several more inches of snow blanket the mountains in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

But in the torrential rain in Melbourne, Norris and the Papaya were flawless. —Dan Cancian, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

The 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying was postponed from Saturday to Sunday after torrential rain and lightning struck the Interlagos circuit. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

torrent entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for torrential

• credential
• prudential
• sequential
• tangential
• circumferential
• inconsequential
• consequential
• deferential
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential

Kids Definition

torrential

adjective

tor·​ren·​tial tȯ-ˈren-chəl 

tə-

: relating to or resembling a torrent

torrential rains

torrentially

-ˈrench-(ə-)lē 

adverb