torrid

tor·rid | \ ˈtȯr-əd

How to pronounce torrid (audio)

, ˈtär- \

Definition of torrid

1a : parched with heat especially of the sun : hot torrid sands

b : giving off intense heat : scorching

2 : ardent, passionate torrid love letters

Other Words from torrid Synonyms & Antonyms What Do torrid and Toast Have in Common? More Example Sentences Learn More about torrid

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What Do torrid and Toast Have in Common?

Torrid derives from the Latin verb torrēre, which means "to burn" or "to parch" and is an ancestor of our word toast. Despite the dry implications of this root, it is also an ancestor of "torrent," which can refer to a violent stream of liquid (as in "a torrent of rain"). "Torrid" first appeared in English in the 16th century, and was originally used to describe something burned or scorched by exposure to the sun. The term "torrid zone" later came about to refer to tropical regions of the Earth. By the end of that century the word had taken on the extended meaning that we know today - suggesting fiery passion.

Examples of torrid in a Sentence

The team had a torrid time trying to score. the dry, torrid summers in southern Arizona

Recent Examples on the Web Since that torrid campaign, United have risen to the pinnacle of football and crashed all the way back down. — SI.com, "The Manchester United XI That Last Started a League Season This Badly," 1 Oct. 2019 Fortunately for us all, Duncan Stevens’s torrid ink-snarf pace only picked up. — Washington Post, "Style Conversational Week 1372: The punliness of the long-distance runner," 20 Feb. 2020 Tom Benning reports that congressional campaign coffers in Texas continue to fill up at a torrid pace — tallying more than $62 million last year — and candidates are wasting no time spending that bounty as the critical March primary approaches. — Dallas News, "Early voting begins today, Bernie Sanders promises victory, campaign cash flowing into congressional races," 18 Feb. 2020 This is Warren's 11th nomination in this category; her fifth in the past six years (which matches her torrid pace from 1996-2001). — Paul Grein, Billboard, "Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Randy Newman & More Land Oscar Nominations," 13 Jan. 2020 With Luka Doncic sidelined with a sprained left thumb, Curry continued his torrid recent run, as did Kristaps Porzingis, who rained in 38 points and pulled down 13 rebounds as the Mavericks (37-24) improved to 21-10 on the road. — Dallas News, "Seth Curry, one of the top 3-point shooters in NBA history, continues hot stretch in Mavs’ win vs. Timberwolves," 1 Mar. 2020 The Nuggets were up 98-96 with 4:30 remaining after the Magic had survived Denver’s torrid run. — Mike Singer, The Denver Post, "Nuggets’ Jamal Murray laughs at himself after bizarre play in win: “I’ll see myself No. 1 Shaqtin’ a fool”," 19 Dec. 2019 That's a franchise record by far for the player who became the face of the franchise in the second half of 2018, when Yelich rode a torrid second half to being named the National League's most valuable player. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'It’s a win-win': Teammates love the idea Christian Yelich could be a Brewer for life," 4 Mar. 2020 The Dow lost 12% in one torrid week — the worst week since the financial crisis in 2008. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Federal Reserve delivers surprise interest rate cut amid coronavirus scare," 3 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'torrid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near torrid

Torricellian tube

Torricellian vacuum

Statistics for torrid

Last Updated

29 Apr 2020

Cite this Entry

“Torrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torrid. Accessed 27 May. 2020.

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