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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The lookalike thing feels like an inoffensive trend—a local frenzy that harms nobody, a deluge of unseriousness. Raven Smith, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024 But amid this deluge of goodwill and generosity pouring into western North Carolina, something sinister was also brewing: misinformation and outright false accusations about federal relief efforts, particularly about the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024
Verb
Heavy rain from the hurricane was spreading across Cuba and will deluge the country into Thursday. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024 And predictably, unhappy waiters deluged the agency with angry letters. Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deluge 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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 — more at dilute entry 1

Verb

derivative of deluge entry 1

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 26 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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