English vocabulary · C1
Deluge
/ˈdɛljuːdʒ/ · n., v.
A deluge is a huge amount of water that comes down very fast. It can also mean a huge amount of anything arriving at once.
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Example sentences
- A deluge flooded the town.
- A deluge of messages arrived.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- lu — wash (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- FLOOD — water covers land (Too Much Water)
- DOWNPOUR — rain falls very hard (Heavy Rain)
- RUSH — a lot arrives fast (All At Once)
Words with the same root
lu — wash
- dilute — make weaker with water
- ablution — washing
Lesson notes
A deluge is a huge amount of water that comes down very fast. It can also mean a huge amount of anything arriving at once.
Related: flood, downpour, rush. Use deluge when a huge amount comes all at once.
A deluge flooded the town. A deluge of messages arrived.
From Latin. Lu- means wash. A deluge is water washing over everything.