# torrential

/tɔˈɹɛnʃəɫ/ (US) · /təɹˈɛnʃəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/torrential
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

describing rain or water that falls in a very heavy and fast flow. You use this when the rain is so strong it feels like a flood.

For teachers: characterised by a heavy, continuous, and violent flow of water, such as rain or a river. Often used to describe weather conditions that cause flooding or significant erosion.

## Examples

- The city was hit by torrential rains all night.
- After the storm, the river overflowed its banks due to torrential downpours that lasted for several hours.
- The region's infrastructure was severely tested by torrential rains that followed a period of extreme drought, highlighting the vulnerability of the local drainage systems to sudden climatic shifts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.