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

Denver Post via Getty Images On the night of July 31st, 1976, Colorado's monsoon season unleashed a torrential burst of rain from a nearly stationary thunderstorms across the Big Thompson Canyon between Estes Park and Loveland. — Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 31 July 2026

She was set for the top of the bill in 2017, but torrential rains brought the fest to an early end and, after only a couple of songs, her show was cut short as the fest was evacuated. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026

Shortly afterward, menacing storm clouds materialized, and the light rain gave way to a torrential downpour. — New York Times, 28 July 2026

Three years ago, the remnants of Hurricane Hillary brought intense flooding and torrential rainfall to parts of California and Nevada. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 27 July 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