flood

USAGE SUMMARY

"flood" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a noun or a verb. For example, "The flood devastated the town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The northwest coastal rivers are currently the subject of a flood watch.

The Guardian

"The city has no funding to deal with this flood," Smiley said.

The Guardian

There are 700 in Afghanistan and it is right that on occasions such as the Olympic Games, or in times of national emergency such as flood relief, they provide support, ideally based on their professional skill set.

The Guardian

Money began to flood the East Village art world and Basquiat made the cover of Time magazine.

The Guardian - Music

There's a flood of books – 600 plus, many of them weighty academic tomes dedicated to the original dumb blonde.

The Guardian - Opinion

"When Dresden flooded 11 years ago, they called it the flood of the century, saying the last time it had happened was 150 years before," she said.

The Guardian

Osborne's pension reforms will produce a flood of spending today, not tomorrow, meaning that tax revenues will be boosted in the short term.

The Guardian - Money

This year's Rite of Spring centenary has certainly unleashed a flood of tribute performances.

The Guardian

However, annual real-terms spending on flood defences will fall by 15% under the coalition government.

The Guardian

Other ideas included gassing the Heathrow Express and bombing a tube train under the Thames so that the river would flood the underground system.

The Guardian

This, combined with high tides, set off a devastating flood in the city, much of which is built on low-lying land reclaimed in the 19th century.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When used figuratively, ensure the context clearly indicates an overwhelming quantity. If not, consider "surge" or "influx".

Common error

Avoid using "flood" loosely to describe situations that involve a slight increase rather than an overwhelming abundance. For example, instead of saying "a flood of emails", consider "a high volume of emails" if the number is significant but not disruptive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flood" is as both a noun, referring to an overflow of water or a large quantity of something, and as a verb, meaning to inundate or overwhelm. As Ludwig AI highlights, it correctly fits in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "flood" is a versatile word functioning as both a noun and a verb. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It describes situations of inundation, either literally with water or figuratively with overwhelming quantities. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse forms of communication. While interchangeable with synonyms like "deluge" or "inundation", context is key to ensure precise usage. Remember to avoid using "flood" lightly; reserve it for genuinely overwhelming scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inundation

Focuses specifically on the covering of something with water.

deluge

Implies a heavy and sudden downpour or a massive influx of something.

overflow

Highlights the spilling over of a container or boundary.

torrent

Suggests a rushing, violent stream of water or a forceful outpouring.

outpouring

Emphasizes the abundant and often emotional release or flow of something.

glut

Focuses on an excessive supply of something, often leading to oversupply.

oversupply

Highlights the excess of something, surpassing the demand.

overabundance

Indicates a quantity that is more than sufficient or necessary.

barrage

Implies a rapid and continuous delivery of something, like information or criticism.

plethora

Refers to a large or excessive amount of something.

FAQs

How is "flood" used as a verb?

As a verb, "flood" means to cover or fill with water, or to overwhelm with an abundance of something. For instance, "The river flooded the town" or "The company was flooded with orders".

What are some synonyms for "flood" when referring to a large amount of something?

When "flood" describes a large quantity, synonyms include "deluge", "torrent", "outpouring", or "glut", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "flood" and "inundation"?

"Flood" generally refers to an overflow of water, while "inundation" specifically describes the covering of an area with water, often extensively.

Is it correct to use "flood" to describe an overwhelming number of abstract things, like news or information?

Yes, "flood" can be used figuratively to describe an overwhelming amount of abstract things. For example, "a flood of information" is acceptable. However, ensure the quantity truly feels overwhelming for the usage to be effective.