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

Nor did a torrential rainstorm kill any of the fun. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Locally damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, quarter-sized hail, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and torrential rainfall are also possible. —Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025

Sumner noted that the line outside the Cine Capri stretched around the block before each showing — even during a recent torrential rain storm. —Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 20 June 2025

Flash flooding caused by torrential rain killed six people, including a 3-year-old child, in northern West Virginia on Sunday, and rescue crews resumed their search Monday morning for three others who remain missing. —Viola Flowers, NBC news, 16 June 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