torrential

/təˈrenʃl/ (bre, ipa) · [tɔrˈɛnʃəl] /təˈrenʃl/ (ame, ipa) · [tɔrˈɛnʃəl] /tȯ-ˈren(t)-shəl How to pronounce torrential (audio) tə-/ (ame, mw)

torrential — adjective

  • torrentialpositive
  • more torrentialcomparative
  • most torrentialsuperlative

1. Torrential rain falls very heavily and in large amounts over a short time, often

1.形容詞B2
釋義

Torrential rain falls very heavily and in large amounts over a short time, often causing flooding or damage.

例句

The outdoor concert was cancelled because torrential rain flooded the park.

cause-effect: torrential rain + event cancellation

Chiara opened her umbrella as soon as she stepped into the torrential rain.

collocation: torrential rain with concrete action

同義詞
  • heavy

    less intense than 'torrential'; describes a wide range of rain intensity

  • driving

    more poetic and literary; emphasises wind-driven rain

  • pelting

    more informal; suggests rain hitting hard and fast

反義詞
  • light

    describes rain with very little force or amount

  • drizzly

    describes very fine, weak rain

文法句型

torrential + noun (rain / downpour / rainfall)

用法筆記

Nearly always appears before 'rain', 'downpour', or 'rainfall'. Expresses a far heavier and more dramatic downpour than 'heavy rain'. Common in weather warnings and disaster reports.

常見錯誤

❌I walked home in torrential rain with just a few drops falling.
✅I walked home in light rain with just a few drops falling.
💡'torrential' describes extremely heavy rain, not a small amount.
❌The wind was torrential last night.
✅The rain was torrential last night.' or 'The wind was very strong last night.
💡'torrential' is used for rain and flowing water, not for wind.

2. Describing something that rushes, pours, or surges with great speed, force, and

2.形容詞C1
釋義

Describing something that rushes, pours, or surges with great speed, force, and abundance — like water, tears, applause, or emotion that cannot be held back.

例句

Baraka wiped away the torrential tears streaming down his face.

metaphorical use: torrential tears for overwhelming emotion

The concrete dam could not hold back the torrential flow of water from the storm.

collocation: torrential flow of [liquid]

同義詞
  • raging

    of rivers or seas; suggests violent, uncontrollable force

  • rushing

    focuses on speed of flow rather than abundance

  • gushing

    suggests sudden, forceful outpouring; can sound informal

  • violent

    broader in meaning; can describe force of any kind

反義詞
  • gentle

    describes a slow, soft flow

  • feeble

    describes flow that lacks strength

文法句型

torrential + noun (flow / tears / applause / river)

用法筆記

Describes nouns that involve movement or flow — tears, applause, water, emotion, river. Not appropriate for static objects, non-flowing movement, or abstract ideas that lack a sense of surging speed (❌ 'a torrential argument').

常見錯誤

❌I have a torrential headache.
✅I have a pounding / terrible headache.
💡'torrential' cannot describe pain or discomfort that does not involve flow.
❌The team made a torrential effort to win.
✅The team made a tremendous / heroic effort to win.
💡'torrential' describes rushing force, not hard work or determination.