torrent
torrent — adjective
- torrentpositive
- more torrentcomparative
- most torrentsuperlative
1. describing rain, water, or a flow that pours down with extreme force and speed —
describing rain, water, or a flow that pours down with extreme force and speed — as in a torrent of water that sweeps everything out of its path.
Christopher and his team faced torrential rain during the mountain hike.
torrential rain — fixed collocation
Torrential floodwaters rose quickly after the dam burst near the village.
Hui sheltered in a cave as torrential streams rushed down the hillside.
Torrential downpours caused landslides that blocked the main highway for hours.
- torrential
the standard adjective form; interchangeable in all contexts
- violent
broader meaning, not specific to water or flow
- rushing
emphasizes movement rather than force
- relentless
focuses on the continuous, unstoppable nature
文法句型
torrent + noun
torrential + noun
用法筆記
The standard adjective form is torrential, not torrent. Torrent used directly as an adjective (e.g. 'torrent rain') is extremely rare and may sound unnatural to native speakers. Learners should always use torrential instead.
常見錯誤
torrent — noun
- torrentsingular
- torrentsplural
1. abstract things — such as criticism, emotions, or information — that come sudden
abstract things — such as criticism, emotions, or information — that come suddenly in great quantity and feel impossible to handle or stop.
Hassan faced a torrent of criticism from readers after his article was published.
a torrent of + abstract noun (criticism)
A torrent of memories flooded Padma's mind when she visited her childhood home.
The mayor received a torrent of complaints about the new parking regulations.
Ignacio struggled to process the torrent of data from the laboratory experiment.
Élise poured out a torrent of emotion in her letter to the editor.
- deluge
more dramatic, often suggests overwhelming force
- flood
broader, can be literal or figurative
- cascade
suggests a series of items coming one after another
- outpouring
warmer tone, often for emotions or expressions of support
- trickle
a very small, slow amount, opposite of a large sudden amount
文法句型
a torrent of + [abstract noun]
用法筆記
Always used in the pattern 'a torrent of + [abstract noun]'. The noun that follows is typically uncountable or abstract — e.g. 'a torrent of abuse', 'a torrent of words', 'a torrent of emotion'. The preposition of is required and cannot be omitted.
常見錯誤
2. a large, fast-moving flow of water, especially one that is dangerous or difficul
a large, fast-moving flow of water, especially one that is dangerous or difficult to cross — such as the violent water in a narrow mountain stream after heavy rain.
The mountain torrent carried large rocks and fallen trees down the narrow valley.
mountain torrent — common modifier
Dewi could hear the roaring torrent long before she reached the riverbank.
roaring torrent — modifier emphasising sound
Rescuers used ropes to cross the raging torrent and reach the stranded hikers.
Haruto watched the torrent sweep past, carrying debris from flooded villages upstream.
A torrent of muddy water burst through the wall of the old dam.
文法句型
a torrent of + [noun referring to water or liquid]
the + torrent
用法筆記
Commonly modified by adjectives such as raging, roaring, or mountain. This sense always refers to a specific flow or body of water, not a general state. For figurative large amounts of non-water things, use noun sense 1 instead.
常見錯誤
3. extremely large amounts of something, especially letters, questions, calls, or s
extremely large amounts of something, especially letters, questions, calls, or similar countable items that come one after another without stopping.
Tanvi received torrents of letters from people who had read her novel.
torrents of letters — plural pattern with concrete items
The radio station got torrents of calls after the controversial interview.
Sivan faced torrents of questions from reporters outside the courthouse.
Defne's inbox filled with torrents of emails asking about the charity event.
The company received torrents of requests for refunds after the product failed.
- a flood of
similar meaning, can be singular or plural
- a stream of
suggests continuous but not necessarily overwhelming
- a deluge of
more dramatic, suggests being overwhelmed
- an avalanche of
suggests a sudden, unstoppable arrival
- a handful of
a very small number of items
文法句型
torrents of + [plural noun]
用法筆記
Only used in the plural form 'torrents of'. Distinguish from noun sense 1: 'a torrent of' describes one large quantity considered as a mass, while 'torrents of' emphasizes many individual items pouring in repeatedly over time.
常見錯誤
4. a sudden, very heavy fall of rain that often arrives and ends quickly, leaving s
a sudden, very heavy fall of rain that often arrives and ends quickly, leaving streets and fields soaked.
The sudden torrent soaked everyone at the outdoor market within minutes.
the sudden torrent — standalone rain sense, no 'of'
Owen waited under a shop awning until the afternoon torrent passed.
Local gardeners welcomed the torrent after several weeks of dry weather.
Children splashed through street puddles after the morning torrent ended.
- downpour
the most common and neutral synonym
- cloudburst
very sudden, short, and extremely heavy
- deluge
dramatic, suggests flooding as a result
文法句型
a torrent
the torrent
用法筆記
Unlike noun senses 1 and 2, this sense is used without 'of' — simply 'a torrent' or 'the torrent' on its own. The context makes clear it refers to rain. Common modifiers include sudden, afternoon, morning, and tropical.
常見錯誤
torrent — verb
- torrentpresent simple I / you / we / they
- torrents3rd person singular
- torrenting-ing form
- torrentedpast simple
1. to move forward with great speed and force like a powerful stream of water — use
to move forward with great speed and force like a powerful stream of water — used for water, crowds, lava, or other masses in motion.
Melted snow torrented down the mountainside after the spring thaw began.
torrented down — verb + direction adverb
Mud and debris torrented across the road, trapping several cars in the flow.
Rainwater torrented off the roof and quickly flooded the garden below.
Lava torrented from the volcano, destroying farms in its path.
文法句型
[subject] torrents + [adverb of direction]
用法筆記
This is a rare, literary verb. In everyday English, speakers strongly prefer the noun: 'flowed in a torrent', 'came down in torrents'. The verb is most often found in past tense or participle form (torrented).
常見錯誤
2. to download a computer file such as a movie, game, or piece of software using th
to download a computer file such as a movie, game, or piece of software using the BitTorrent system, where many users share small parts of the file at the same time.
Christopher torrented the latest episode because he missed the live broadcast.
torrented + file — transitive use
Hui torrented the design software rather than buying it from the store.
Many users around the world torrent large files to avoid slow download speeds.
The film studio sent warnings to users who torrented movies without permission.
文法句型
torrent + [file/movie/software]
用法筆記
Frequently used informally in computing contexts. The object is typically a specific file, movie, episode, or piece of software. The passive form ('was torrented by thousands of users') is also common in news reports about piracy.