What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
flash flood
Example
The city was hit by a flash flood after a heavy downpour. [flash flood: noun]
Example
The river overflowed and caused flash flooding in the nearby town. [flash flooding: gerund or present participle]
torrent
Example
The river turned into a torrent after the storm. [torrent: noun]
Example
The firefighters struggled to contain the torrent of water from the broken fire hydrant. [torrent: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Flash flood is more commonly used than torrent in everyday language, especially in news reports and weather forecasts. Torrent is less common and is often used in more technical or scientific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between flash flood and torrent?
Both flash flood and torrent are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
