torrent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "torrent" is considered correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe a large, high-speed stream of something. For example, you could say "She poured out her emotions in a torrent of tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The torrent technology wasn't easy to master, a good ratio was difficult to maintain, the forum moderators were Nazis, and uploading even a single byte of data to the site technically constituted a felony-level conspiracy.

The Guardian - Books

The ancient race of vinyl enthusiasts who had once haunted record stores and swap meets was dying out, superseded by a mutant breed of torrent obsessives.

The Guardian - Books

They have already leaked several unreleased Sony blockbusters to torrent sites.

The Guardian - Film

Or imagine if they were Roberto Benigni, and they started clambering around on their furniture like Mammy Two Shoes from Tom and Jerry and then bellowed out a torrent of obviously too enthusiastic "I want to kiss everybody!

The Guardian

The NFL has endured a torrent of criticism for its handling of the incident both in recent days and earlier in the year, when it handed Rice a two-game suspension that was widely viewed as far too lenient.

The Guardian

An hour before the kick-off I was signing autographs for some young fans in the tunnel when a torrent of the worst kind of language imaginable was hurled at me from above with no regard for the children present.

The Guardian - Sport

A torrent tracker was perfect in this regard: it used an SQL database to sort the torrents, and PHP to present them to users.

The Guardian - Books

Matt Mason is the chief content officer at BitTorrent, and the driving force behind the company's "Bundles" initiative, which gets musicians, filmmakers, authors and other creators to release their work packaged up as torrent files, with fans unlocking the full contents usually by entering their email address.

The Guardian - Tech

"It is looking exceptional this year," says William Pitts, as the torrent of golden wheat ears sweeps into the flashing blades below the cab of his combine harvester.

The Guardian

On his mark, Emily Maitlis began Minority Reporting like billy-o through a torrent of impenetrable statistics, while John Curtice of the British Polling Council gradually unravelled to such an extent that you ended up worrying how he'd look whenever the camera returned to him.

The Guardian

For Sinéad O'Connor, the best way to dismantle male dominance was not to go after any actual men in the industry but to rev up that noted vehicle of genuine concern, the open letter, and use it to deliver a torrent of slut-shaming that was so feminist that it repeatedly used the term "prostitute" as a derogatory insult.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like emotions or data, using "torrent" can effectively convey a sense of overwhelming abundance or intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "torrent" to describe a small or insignificant flow. It is meant to represent a large, forceful outpouring. Instead, use words like "trickle", "stream", or "flow" for smaller quantities.

Linguistic Context

Torrent" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a large and overwhelming outpouring of something. Ludwig examples show its use to describe both physical phenomena like water flow and abstract concepts like criticism or emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "torrent" is a versatile noun primarily used to describe a large, overwhelming outpouring of something, whether it's a physical substance like water or an abstract concept like criticism. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its wide usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. It is important to remember that "torrent" signifies abundance and intensity, so it shouldn't be used to describe small or insignificant flows. Semantically related terms include "deluge", "downpour", and "inundation", offering alternative ways to express the concept of a substantial flow. The usage tips emphasize the importance of using "torrent" to convey a sense of overwhelming abundance, while also cautioning against misusing it for smaller quantities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deluge

Refers to an overwhelming flood or downpour, similar to the overwhelming nature a "torrent" implies.

downpour

Specifically relates to heavy rainfall, mirroring the intensity and abundance associated with a "torrent".

inundation

Emphasizes the overflowing or overwhelming aspect, akin to the force and volume of a "torrent".

flood

Denotes a large quantity of something that overwhelms, paralleling the magnitude suggested by "torrent".

outpouring

Highlights the abundant and often emotional release or flow, sharing the sense of profusion with "torrent".

barrage

Suggests a rapid and overwhelming outpouring, often of information or criticism, akin to the force of a "torrent".

stream

Refers to a continuous flow or outpouring of something, related to the continuous movement of a "torrent".

rush

Implies a rapid and forceful movement, reminiscent of the speed and intensity of a "torrent".

avalanche

Emphasizes a sudden and overwhelming descent or influx, mirroring the overwhelming nature of a "torrent".

onslaught

Highlights an overwhelming attack or influx, sharing the forceful and intense quality of a "torrent".

FAQs

How can I use "torrent" in a sentence?

You can use "torrent" to describe a heavy downpour, a rapid flow of water, or a sudden, large outpouring of something, such as emotions or information. For example, "The news triggered a "torrent" of criticism".

What can I say instead of "torrent" to describe a heavy rain?

Alternatives to "torrent" for heavy rain include "deluge", "downpour", or "cloudburst".

What is the difference between a "torrent" and a flood?

A "torrent" refers to a violent, rushing stream, while a flood is a general overflowing of water onto normally dry land. A "torrent" can cause a flood, but not all floods are caused by "torrents".

Is it correct to use "torrent" to describe a download?

Yes, in the context of peer-to-peer file sharing, "torrent" refers to a specific type of file that allows users to download pieces of data from multiple sources simultaneously.