deluge

1 of 2

noun

del·​uge ˈdel-ˌyüj 

-ˌyüzh;

nonstandard

də-ˈlüj 

ˈdā-ˌlüj

1

a

: an overflowing of the land by water

b

: a drenching rain

a deluge causing mudslides in the area

2

: an overwhelming amount or number

received a deluge of angry phone calls

deluge

2 of 2

verb

deluged; deluging

transitive verb

1

: to overflow with water : inundate

2

: overwhelm, swamp

The store was deluged with complaints.

Synonyms of deluge

Noun

• flood
• torrent

Verb

• flood
• engulf

Examples of deluge in a Sentence

Noun

The deluge caused severe mudslides.

a deluge of thanks and appreciation for the returning troops

Verb

Heavy rains deluged the region.

deluged with requests for help

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Earlier this year, Gamage said a critic created a website that included photos of the academics as well as their contact information and social media accounts, resulting in a deluge of angry messages. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

The county faced the deluge of lawsuits after a change in state law, known as Assembly Bill 218, allowed people to sue over abuse that took place decades ago. — Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

Wide swaths of the Southwest were deluged Sunday as the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel weakened and moved inland, but coastal communities already battered by high surf emerged with less damage than some officials feared. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Parts of the Desert Southwest could be deluged Wednesday as waves of robust monsoonal moisture lift into the region. — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, "flood, Noah's flood, storm," borrowed from Anglo-French deluvie, deluge (also continental Old French), in part loan, in part descent from Latin dīluvium "flood, inundation," from dīluere "to wash away, make thinner by mixing with water" + -ium, deverbal noun suffix — more at dilute entry 1

Verb

derivative of deluge entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

deluge

1 of 2 noun

del·​uge ˈdel-yüj 

1

a

: an overflowing of the land by water : flood

b

: a drenching rain

2

: an overwhelming amount or number

a deluge of Christmas mail

deluge

2 of 2 verb

deluged; deluging

1

: to overflow with water : inundate, flood

2

: to overwhelm as if with a deluge

deluged with inquiries