deluge

1 of 2

noun

del·​uge ˈdel-ˌyüj 

-ˌyüzh;

nonstandard

də-ˈlüj 

ˈdā-ˌlüj

1

a

: an overflowing of the land by water

b

: a drenching rain

a deluge causing mudslides in the area

2

: an overwhelming amount or number

received a deluge of angry phone calls

deluge

2 of 2

verb

deluged; deluging

transitive verb

1

: to overflow with water : inundate

2

: overwhelm, swamp

The store was deluged with complaints.

Synonyms

Noun

• alluvion
• bath
• cataclysm
• cataract
• flood
• flood tide
• inundation
• Niagara
• overflow
• spate
• torrent

Verb

• drown
• engulf
• flood
• gulf
• inundate
• overflow
• overwhelm
• submerge
• submerse
• swamp

Examples of deluge in a Sentence

Noun

The deluge caused severe mudslides.

a deluge of thanks and appreciation for the returning troops

Verb

Heavy rains deluged the region.

deluged with requests for help

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While the film also calls out a deluge of anti-gay material spouted over the years by the likes of Sam Kinison, Eddie Murphy, Mel Brooks, and Andrew Dice Clay, the focus stays mostly on themes of perseverance and celebration, especially as seen at the triumphant Netflix Is a Joke group show. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 June 2024

Severe storms to impact High Plains, Northeast and mid-Atlantic Friday As Florida deals with the deluge, a severe thunderstorm threat is ramping up for the Northern and Central High Plains and portions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on Friday. —Dalia Faheid, CNN, 14 June 2024

Verb

Rainfall also deluged the Trinity River, the third-largest in the state, starting in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which flows south to Galveston Bay. —Bethany Blankley | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 June 2024

More rain from that nasty disturbance that has deluged South Florida all week remains in the weekend’s forecast. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 15 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French deluje, from Latin diluvium, from diluere to wash away, from dis- + lavere to wash — more at lye

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

deluge

1 of 2 noun

del·​uge ˈdel-yüj 

1

a

: an overflowing of the land by water : flood

b

: a drenching rain

2

: an overwhelming amount or number

a deluge of Christmas mail

deluge

2 of 2 verb

deluged; deluging

1

: to overflow with water : inundate, flood

2

: to overwhelm as if with a deluge

deluged with inquiries