Deluge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Deluge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a great flood or an overwhelming amount of something, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "After the announcement, there was a deluge of responses from the public, all eager to share their opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But such supposedly supportive pieces were fingers in the dyke amid the deluge of negative articles.

The Guardian

What followed was more a drip-feed of inadequacy than a deluge of incompetence.

The Guardian - Sport

This was a movie which withheld its meanings, and distributed clues and hints around the screenplay, it allowed the audience to experience a kind of drip-feed of meaning, which became a sudden, shocking deluge in the semi-intentional event which forms its catastrophe.

The Guardian - Film

Has he not been briefed on the deluge of new pensions and building regulations that he has just imposed on small businesses the length of the land?

The Guardian - Opinion

But other times, when I've written something particularly controversial (ie feminist) – like, say, my critique of men feeling entitled to women's time and attention, or literally anything about rape – the harassment comes in a deluge.

The Guardian

The deluge of gardening programmes on BBC2 a few years ago was caused by the then controller's solipsistic assumption that the channel's audience was as entranced by the sod and the trowel as she was.

The Guardian - Opinion

While millions more people are taking good shots of wildlife, critics don't see more variety or creativity in this image deluge.

The Guardian

None the less, the mere fact that he is still first minister after the deluge of scandal heaped upon him since the start of the year is remarkable and evidence of how the necessity of keeping political compromise moving forward defies normal political gravity.

The Guardian

Since the mid 1990s the Catholic church's reputation has been slowly eroding amid a deluge of damaging revelations about its priests, religious orders and the institutions they run.

The Guardian

The 2005 deluge brought to light the little-known fact that Mumbai had a river.

The Guardian

Slums and BMWs went under the deluge without discernment for their economic standing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the connotations; "Deluge" can suggest a destructive or chaotic abundance.

Common error

Avoid using weaker words like "increase" or "rise" when "Deluge" is more appropriate to convey a sense of being overwhelmed or inundated. "Deluge" is much stronger and more vivid.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Deluge" is as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a great flood or an overwhelming amount of something. As a verb, it means to flood or overwhelm. The usage is supported by Ludwig and is seen in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Deluge" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, used to describe a great flood or an overwhelming amount of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is very common across various contexts, particularly in news and formal communications. Related phrases include "inundation", "torrent", and "overabundance". When using "Deluge", remember to emphasize the intensity of the event, and don't confuse it with weaker terms. Overall, it's a strong and vivid word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inundation

Similar to "Deluge", but often refers specifically to flooding with water.

Torrent

Emphasizes a rapid and forceful outpouring, like a stream of liquid or information.

Downpour

Specifically refers to a heavy rainfall, narrower in scope than "Deluge".

Overabundance

Focuses on the excessive quantity of something, applicable to abstract concepts.

Surfeit

Implies an excess that leads to disgust or discomfort.

Glut

Indicates an oversupply of a product or commodity.

Avalanche

Suggests a sudden and overwhelming rush or accumulation.

Outpouring

Refers to an unrestrained flow of emotions, reactions, or support.

Barrage

Implies a continuous and overwhelming delivery of something, such as questions or criticism.

Spate

Denotes a large number of similar things or events appearing or occurring in quick succession.

FAQs

How can "deluge" be used in a sentence?

"Deluge" can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a great flood or an overwhelming amount of something. As a verb, it means to flood or overwhelm. For example, "The city was hit by a deluge of rain" (noun) or "The company was deluged with complaints" (verb).

What are some synonyms for "deluge" when referring to a flood?

When referring to a flood, synonyms for "deluge" include "inundation", "flood", "torrent", and "downpour".

How can "deluge" be used metaphorically?

"Deluge" is often used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming amount of something, such as information, emails, or requests. For example, "After the announcement, we received a deluge of emails".

Is "deluge" a formal or informal word?

"Deluge" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal word. It is appropriate for use in both writing and speech, across a variety of contexts, from news reports to academic papers.