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

As torrential rain poured down in Moscow, Ronaldo — who won his first Ballon d’Or that year — missed his penalty (United’s third). —Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 20 May 2025

Journalism thrived on a warm day that dried out the track after torrential rain fell at Pimlico for much of the past week. —CBS News, 17 May 2025

But his crushing drives didn’t get any additional roll — a product of the wetness from the torrential downpours early in the week. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2025

Judging by Monday's torrential downpours, the players will face a very, very wet and very, very soft course. —Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 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