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

The interaction between the two storms should prevent Imelda from making landfall or stalling near the coast, which could have led to days of torrential rainfall and widespread flooding. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

Storms can be spotty and short-lived, while others can unleash strong winds, flashes of lightning and torrential downpours. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025

Tens of millions of people could be impacted by the storm, which is expected to unleash torrential rain on the Philippines today before heading toward the major cities of Hong Kong and Macau, and mainland China’s Guangdong Province in the coming days. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025

To handle torrential rains, direct water away from your garden with dry creek beds and swales. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 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