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

When torrential rains hit a swath of Mexico last week, the Cazones River swelled so fast there was virtually no time to flee. —Cristopher Rogel Blanquet, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

The campers and counselors died after torrential rain forced water levels on the river, which snakes through multiple summer camps in the region, to rise from 3 feet to 30 feet in a matter of hours. —Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025

Storms can be spotty and short-lived, while others can unleash strong winds, flashes of lightning and torrential downpours. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 13 Oct. 2025

At least 41 people are dead in central and southeastern Mexico after days of torrential rainfall triggered floods and landslides, authorities said Saturday. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 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