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

Strong to severe thunderstorms could slam the Kansas City area twice in the coming days, bringing damaging winds, torrential downpours, and a chance of isolated tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. —Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026

Rodney helped cast the deciding vote for the Declaration of Independence after an 80-mile ride through torrential rain, arriving in Philadelphia on July, 2, 1776. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

On the early morning of July 4, nearly stationary thunderstorms developed across the Texas Hill Country, dropping torrential rainfall in its path. —Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Mar. 2026

Strong thunderstorms capable of torrential rain are ongoing across eastern Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iraq and western Iran today. —Rebecca Shabad, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026

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