Definition of DELUGE (original) (raw)
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
Synonyms
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.
The storm brought a deluge of rain and strong winds to Northern California on Tuesday, swelling rivers, flooding roadways, knocking out power and unleashing other damage across the region. —
Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025 The subsidies apply for sales online, too, where shoppers find a deluge of deals on everything from movie tickets to restaurants to travel. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
Mabel was deluged with around 1700 cards and gifts, some sent from as far away as India, Iceland, France, and Canada. —Terry Baddoo, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 Just under half the national increase occurred in New York City, which was deluged with immigrants in 2024, largely shipped there by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. —Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025 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 14 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 9 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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