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flood
/flʌd/
large amount of water covering land
The river flooded the village after days of heavy rain.
Heavy rain caused the river to overflow, submerging the village in water.
neutral
a large amount of water covering an area that is usually dry
After the dam broke, a flood swept through the valley.
The uncontrolled release of water from the dam caused widespread flooding.
Can refer to literal water overflow or metaphorical overwhelming amounts (e.g., 'a flood of emails').
neutral
to cover or fill an area with water
The basement flooded during the storm.
Water entered and filled the basement due to the storm.
Often used in passive voice ('The city was flooded').
neutral
a large quantity of things arriving suddenly
We received a flood of complaints after the announcement.
Many complaints arrived simultaneously after the announcement.
Common in business and customer service contexts.
Collocations
flash floodsudden flood caused by heavy rainflood damageharm caused by floodingflood warningofficial alert about possible floodingflood controlmeasures to prevent floodingflood victimperson affected by flooding
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Distinguish literal vs. figurative use
When 'flood' refers to water, it's literal. When it refers to emails, complaints, or requests, it's figurative. Example: 'After the sale, we got a flood of orders' (figurative) vs. 'The river flood destroyed the crops' (literal).
Gold Rule
Avoid confusion with 'floor'
'Flood' (water) and 'floor' (surface) sound similar but have different meanings. Context always clarifies.
Word Origin
From Old English 'flōd', related to Old Norse 'flóð', Old High German 'fluot', and Latin 'pluit' (it rains). Proto-Indo-European root '*pleu-' meaning 'to flow'.
Usage Notes
Used both literally (water) and figuratively (overwhelming amounts). Common in news reports about natural disasters. The verb form often implies suddenness ('The river flooded the town overnight').
Word Breakdown
flood
overflowing water
rootEnglish Dictionary