inundation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "inundation" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a sudden flood or an overwhelming outpouring of something. For example, "The area was hit with an inundation of rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The storm hit at high tide so "large parts of the northeast Arnhem coast have likely experienced some inundation from the storm surge and also the large waves around those coastal areas," bureau of meteorology regional director, Todd Smith, told media on Sunday afternoon.

The Guardian

The spectacular inundation in Pakistan last August also fits the pattern.In Pakistan things may have been particularly bad because this La Niña, unlike many, turned up straight after an El Niño, which tends to leave temperatures in the Indian Ocean high.

The Economist

In his "Travels through Syria and Egypt", Count Constantine Volney, a French orientalist, wrote that "the [Nile] inundation of 1783 was not sufficient, great part of the lands therefore could not be sown for want of being watered.

The Economist

The inundation might be even worse than in 2005, when Poles and other eastern Europeans gained the right to work.

The Economist

Only through continual pumping of the water-table has the threat of inundation been kept largely at bay.

The Economist

Moreover, many of the bad consequences of dams can be avoided if the right policies are followed: silting can be slowed by sensible water releases, forestry inundation prevented by clearing trees, salmon accommodated by building fish ladders, people resettled in better places, and so on.And then there is electricity.

The Economist

And nurses handed out plastic wallets for immunisation cards, so that they will not get wet come the next inundation.

The Economist

A tenth of all houses are now believed at risk of inundation.

The Economist

In the long run, despite dire warnings of humanitarian and economic costs, it appears Pakistan did not suffer too greatly from that inundation.

The Economist

Models developed by Vasily Titov, at NOAA, and Costas Synolakis, at the University of Southern California, can predict the size and shape of the waves that will be generated by a particular tsunami, as well as the resulting coastal inundation.

The Economist

There will be more droughts and more floods (like the inundation east Africa is now facing), one exacerbating the other: animals overgraze in dry spells, letting more topsoil wash away during heavy rains.Will anything make rich countries focus on these risks?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inundation" when you want to emphasize the overwhelming or covering nature of a flood or influx, both literally and figuratively. For a basic description of flooding, consider using "flood" or "overflow".

Common error

Avoid using "inundation" when a simple description of flooding suffices. "Inundation" implies a severe, often devastating level of flooding, not just a minor overflow or temporary water accumulation.

Linguistic Context

The noun "inundation" primarily functions as a descriptor for significant flooding events or, metaphorically, for an overwhelming quantity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriateness in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

42%

News & Media

35%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "inundation" accurately describes a significant flood or an overwhelming surge, as verified by Ludwig AI. Its usage is prevalent in encyclopedias and news media, indicating its relevance in both descriptive and informative contexts. When writing, remember that "inundation" implies a severe level of flooding or an overwhelming influx, differentiating it from simpler terms like "flood" or "overflow". Alternatives like "deluge" and "submersion" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the intended emphasis. When you aim to express a notable intensity in flooding or a metaphorical sense of being overcome, "inundation" is the precise choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flood

A general term for an overflowing of water or a large quantity of something.

overflow

Focuses on the action of exceeding capacity and spilling over.

deluge

Emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming nature of a flood or heavy downpour.

submergence

Highlights the state of being completely covered by water or another liquid.

torrent

Highlights the rapid and forceful flow of water or other substance.

overwhelming surge

Describes a sudden and powerful increase or rush of something.

saturation

Emphasizes the state of being completely filled or soaked.

overabundance

Stresses the excessive quantity of something, not necessarily water.

glut

Indicates an excessive supply or availability of something.

cataclysm

Emphasizes the disastrous or devastating nature of the event.

FAQs

How to use "inundation" in a sentence?

You can use "inundation" to describe a severe flood, such as, "The coastal city suffered massive "inundation" after the hurricane." It can also be used figuratively to describe being overwhelmed by something, like "an "inundation" of emails".

What can I say instead of "inundation"?

You can use alternatives like "flood", "deluge", or "overflow" depending on the specific context. If you want to emphasize the overwhelming nature, consider "overabundance" for non-water contexts.

Which is correct, "inundation" or "flood"?

"Inundation" and "flood" are both correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Inundation" implies a more severe and overwhelming flood than a typical "flood". Choose the word that best reflects the intensity of the situation.

What's the difference between "inundation" and "submersion"?

"Inundation" refers to the act of flooding or covering with water, while "submersion" refers to the state of being completely covered by water. An area experiences "inundation", which results in submersion of certain locations.