Deluge — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈdel-ˌyüj/ del·uge

Meaning & Definition of Deluge

Deluge (noun)

  1. an overflowing of the land by water
  2. a drenching rain
  3. an overwhelming amount or number

Deluge (verb)

  1. to overflow with water, inundate
  2. overwhelm, swamp

Deluge (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms

    "a deluge of thanks and appreciation for the returning troops"

    similar: alluvion, bath, cataclysm, cataract, flood, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow, spate, torrent
    related: current, river, stream, tide, cloudburst, discharge, flush, gush, outflow, outpouring, flux, inflow, influx, engulfment, washout, avalanche, blizzard, cascade, waterfall, excess, glut, overabundance, overage, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus
    opposite: drought
    near: dribble, drip, trickle

  2. a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity

    "the exiting moviegoers were caught in the deluge without umbrellas"

    similar: cloudburst, downfall, downpour, rain, rainfall, rainstorm, storm, wet
    related: precipitation, shower, thundershower, thunderstorm, weather
    near: drizzle, mist, mizzle, scud, spit, sprinkle

Deluge (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cover with a flood

    "deluged with requests for help"

    similar: drown, engulf, flood, gulf, inundate, overflow, overwhelm, submerge, submerse, swamp
    related: avalanche, smother, overcome, overrun, flow, flush, gush, pour, sluice, spout, spurt, stream, douse, drench, soak, wet
    opposite: drain
    near: dehydrate, dry, parch

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Deluge

The most common words with a similar meaning to Deluge:

alluvion, bath, cataclysm, cataract, flood, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow, spate, torrent, cloudburst, downfall, downpour, rain, rainfall, rainstorm, storm, wet, drown, engulf, gulf, inundate, overwhelm, submerge, submerse, swamp

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Deluge

Words with the opposite meaning of Deluge:

drought, drain

Related Words for Deluge

current, river, stream, tide, discharge, flush, gush, outflow, outpouring, flux, inflow, influx, engulfment, washout, avalanche, blizzard, cascade, waterfall, excess, glut, overabundance, overage, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus, precipitation

Near Antonyms of Deluge

dribble, drip, trickle, drizzle, mist, mizzle, scud, spit, sprinkle, dehydrate, dry, parch

Word Forms of Deluge

Inflections: deluged, deluging

Origin & Etymology of Deluge

Middle English, "flood, Noah's flood, storm," borrowed from Anglo-French deluvie, deluge (also continental Old French), in part loan, in part descent from Latin dīluvium "flood, inundation," from dīluere "to wash away, make thinner by mixing with water" + -ium, deverbal noun suffix dilute:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Deluge

Words & Phrases Containing Deluge

apres moi le deluge

Frequently Asked Questions about Deluge

What does "Deluge" mean?

"Deluge" means an overflowing of the land by water. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an overflowing of the land by water. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Deluge"?

Other words for "Deluge" include alluvion, bath, cataclysm, cataract, flood, flood tide, inundation and Niagara. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Deluge" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Deluge"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Deluge". Common alternatives include alluvion, bath, cataclysm, cataract, flood, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow and spate.

What is the opposite of "Deluge"?

Antonyms of "Deluge" include drought and drain. Near antonyms include dribble, drip, trickle and drizzle.

How do you use "Deluge" in a sentence?

Examples of "Deluge" in a sentence: "a deluge of thanks and appreciation for the returning troops"; "the exiting moviegoers were caught in the deluge without umbrellas"; "deluged with requests for help".

Is "Deluge" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Deluge" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Deluge" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Deluge" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Deluge"?

"Deluge" is pronounced /ˈdel-ˌyüj/ and divided into syllables as del·uge.