deluge

1 of 2

noun

del·​uge ˈdel-ˌyüj How to pronounce deluge (audio)
-ˌyüzh;
nonstandard
də-ˈlüj How to pronounce deluge (audio)
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.

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
Elo-Rivera revived the proposal a little over a week following the Jan. 22 deluge. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 In the rapidly evolving recruitment landscape, HR leaders are facing an unprecedented challenge: the deluge of job applications powered by generative AI tools. Ben Keighley, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The deluge of demand is reflected in the bakery’s voicemail message. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024 Wines estimates that the lake doubled in size after the deluge earlier this month. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Climate scientists have blamed many of last year’s deadly disasters around the globe — wildfires, floods, and record heat — on extreme weather events, including storms that recently pummeled California with a deluge of record-breaking rainfall, snow, and wind. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 8 Feb. 2024 The deluge of rules and the potential for more have opened a new battlefront for companies developing and using artificial intelligence. Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2024 In fact, the question, which was posted to X on Monday, opened the floodgates to a deluge of internet users eager to vent to the children’s show character that had somehow signed himself up to be the internet’s newest therapist. Angela Yang, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2024 It’s said that rain on your wedding day is good luck, but what about when a deluge of rain forces your venue to close days before your nuptials? Andrea Chang, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Verb
Early February storms deluged the state in historic rainfall, damaging homes, triggering debris flows and mudslides and killing several people in Northern California. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Confused and concerned residents at Overlook and nearby deluged Carmel officials with questions in what showed classic warning signs of a major NIMBY (Not in my backyard) fight. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Jan. 2024 East Africa has just suffered its worst drought in 40 years, and its sunbaked soils are now deluged by the worst flooding in a century. Katharine Houreld, Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2023 By Monday, officials warned that the Los Angeles area could be deluged by the equivalent of a year’s rainfall in a single day. Somini Sengupta, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2024 California was deluged by damaging atmospheric rivers last year and now the Golden State must brace for two more on the way this week. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2024 Related Articles Realtor associations deluged with ‘copycat’ commission lawsuits Questions around water supplies for a new city in California, where underground aquifers are severely depleted, have swirled around the project. Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2024 Atmospheric rivers are expected in the Pacific Northwest next week as heavy rainfall continues to deluge the region. Gina Martinez, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2023 The cassette arrived at Windham Hill’s humble Stanford post office box, which had been deluged by unsolicited demos as the label grew in visibility. Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 22 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deluge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of deluge was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near deluge

Cite this Entry

“Deluge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deluge. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deluge

1 of 2 noun
del·​uge ˈdel-yüj How to pronounce deluge (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on deluge

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