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

Additional storms are possible in the late afternoon hours with torrential downpours placing portions of the area at risk for flooding, officials said. — Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

The core of Hurricane Lowell was passing just west of Niihau, Hawaii, on Tuesday morning, bringing rough surf, strong winds and torrential downpours to the Aloha State. — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2026

Typhoon Saudel in China Typhoon Saudel is hitting southeast China with days of torrential rain. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

The death toll from a mudslide in eastern China rose to three Sunday, after days of torrential rain brought by Typhoon Saudel. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 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
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential

Kids Definition

torrential

adjective

tor·​ren·​tial tȯ-ˈren-chəl 

tə-

: relating to or resembling a torrent

torrential rains

torrentially

-ˈrench-(ə-)lē 

adverb