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

And in what may seem as a paradox, Maryland last year saw a record number of flash floods, caused by the impacts of climate change, creating periods of long dry spells followed by sudden torrential rainfall. —Sacoby Wilson, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2026

Severe thunderstorms barreled through the Kansas City area early Monday, unleashing frequent lightning and booming thunder, dumping torrential rain and triggering a tornado warning. —Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026

The movie is understood to follow a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026

For the handful of hardy fans who braved the torrential rain to watch the team at open training, there is little doubt in her abilities. —Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 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
• 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