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

Forecasters said torrential rain could hit spots from the coast to the mountains from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Thursday, with 0.75 inches or more of rain falling within an hour in isolated places — a rate that could cause lots of street flooding, including during the morning rush hour. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025

Reunion Island storm kills at least 3 PARIS -- French police said at least three people were killed when a tropical storm packing fierce winds and torrential rains thumped the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion on Friday. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2025

On tap for the region through Saturday night are severe thunderstorms and torrential downpours that could even produce multiple tornadoes, said AccuWeather severe weather expert Guy Pearson. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025

As torrential rain battered the Old Trafford field, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim was forced into another difficult call. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 27 Feb. 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