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noun

deluge

DEHL-yoozh

Deluge (noun) means a sudden, heavy flood of water, or an overwhelming rainstorm. Example: “The deluge turned the streets into rivers within minutes.”

noun
1
A sudden, heavy flood of water, or an overwhelming rainstorm.
"The deluge turned the streets into rivers within minutes."
2
An overwhelming amount of anything arriving at once.
"The company faced a deluge of complaints after the price hike."
verb
1
To overwhelm someone with a large amount of something.
"Fans deluged the singer with messages after the announcement."

How to use deluge

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA flood — either of water or of things like messages, complaints, or requests, all arriving at once.

Common pairings
a deluge of complaints deluged with requests a sudden deluge

Word forms

deluged past tense, deluges plural, deluges singular

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The _____ turned the streets into rivers within minutes.

Etymology

From Old French deluge, from Latin diluvium ("a washing away"), related to the verb diluere ("to wash away, dilute").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for deluge

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Frequently asked questions

What does “deluge” mean?

The word “deluge” means a sudden, heavy flood of water, or an overwhelming rainstorm. In plain terms, a flood — either of water or of things like messages, complaints, or requests, all arriving at once.

How do you pronounce “deluge”?

“Deluge” is pronounced DEHL-yoozh (/ˈdɛl.ju(d)ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “deluge” in a sentence?

Here is “deluge” used in a sentence: “The deluge turned the streets into rivers within minutes.”

What part of speech is “deluge”?

Depending on how it is used, “deluge” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “deluge” come from?

The word “deluge” comes from Latin. From Old French deluge, from Latin diluvium ("a washing away"), related to the verb diluere ("to wash away, dilute").

How many meanings does “deluge” have?

“Deluge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, heavy flood of water, or an overwhelming rainstorm.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial