Spanish word

torrente

Pronunciation

IPA/toˈrente/

Meaning

  • masculine nountorrent

Example

Después de la tormenta, el torrente bajó por la ladera.

After the storm, the torrent rushed down the slope.

Illustration for torrente (torrent)

More examples

Cuando se puso nervioso, salió un torrente de palabras sin parar.

When he got nervous, a torrent of words came out and didn't stop.

Core concept

Rapid, channel-cutting rush of water descending a valley.

Common phrases

  • torrente de emociones

    torrent of emotions

  • torrente de palabras

    torrent of words

  • torrente de agua

    torrent of water

Similar words

río: Broad, continuously flowing natural watercourse with considerable width and steady discharge.
arroyo: Small channel or brook that normally has little water but surges during rainfall.
corriente: Movement of water toward an outlet following a consistent direction in a channel or body.

Definition in Spanish

Corriente repentina y potente de agua que se forma en cuencas o laderas y arrastra objetos sueltos mientras baja.

Word origin

From Latin torrēns, the present participle of torrēre 'to burn', whose image of boiling or seething is applied metaphorically to a fast, violent stream.

Usage tips

  • In everyday use torrente emphasizes the physical force of the flow and implies dragging of loose material, so it commonly describes flash floods and mudflows.

Opposites

Related words

  • torrencialtorrentialadjective
  • torrencialmentetorrentiallyadverb

Word lists with this word