deluge
B2Formal, literary, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A severe flood; a great overflowing of water.
A sudden, overwhelming quantity or amount of something, e.g., information, work, or questions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a destructive or overwhelming quantity. Can be literal (flood) or metaphorical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling identical.
Connotations
Slightly more literary/formal in everyday US usage.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
deluge [OBJECT] with [NOUN]be deluged by/with [NOUN]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a Noah's deluge (literary, rare)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The launch was followed by a deluge of customer inquiries.
Academic
The policy change triggered a deluge of critical commentary in the journals.
Everyday
We got caught in a sudden deluge on our way home.
Technical
The stormwater system was designed to handle a 100-year deluge.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The call centre was deluged with complaints after the broadcast.
- He deluged the committee with detailed proposals.
American English
- The website was deluged by traffic during the sale.
- She deluged her inbox with automated replies.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard)
American English
- (Not standard)
adjective
British English
- (Rare, usually 'deluged') The deluged fields were unfit for planting.
American English
- (Rare, usually 'deluged') The deluged streets caused major traffic delays.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The heavy rain caused a small deluge in our garden.
- After the TV show, the shop got a deluge of calls.
- The broken pipe created a deluge in the basement.
- We received a deluge of applications for the job.
- The coastal town was unprepared for the deluge brought by the hurricane.
- The minister faced a deluge of questions from angry journalists.
- The documentary deluged viewers with harrowing statistics, leaving little room for hope.
- Ancient myths often feature a catastrophic deluge sent to punish humanity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DEhuge LUGgage filled with water = DELUGE. Imagine opening a huge luggage and a flood of water pours out.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS WATER / AN OVERWHELMING FORCE IS A FLOOD.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid overusing 'потоп' for metaphorical senses; 'лав', 'шквал' may be better.
- Not a direct equivalent for 'ливень' (heavy rain) unless it's truly flood-like.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for any large amount (e.g., 'a deluge of happiness' – unusual).
- Misspelling as 'diluge'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'deluge' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its core meaning is a great flood, it is very commonly used metaphorically for any overwhelming amount (e.g., a deluge of data, work, or criticism).
'Deluge' is more formal and literary, and often implies a greater, more catastrophic, or more sudden quantity than the more general term 'flood'.
Yes. As a verb, it means 'to overwhelm with a large amount' (e.g., 'They deluged us with paperwork'). It is often used in the passive voice ('We were deluged with offers').
No, the standard pronunciation /ˈdel.juːdʒ/ is essentially identical in both major varieties.