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Glite Dictionary
torrent of words

torrent of words

1 6.8
A fast flow of words spoken with strong feeling
  • noun
  • Informal
translation icon : tormenta de palabras
  • The old man shivered, engulfed by this torrent of words forgotten for nearly a lifetime.

Examples

  • All the same, I was amazed at the singer's torrent of words, some of which he sang out melodically while others he delivered in a rapid recitative.

    Academic text (2016)

  • I leapt from my chair and marched to the window, but I couldn't hold back the torrent of words, and I couldn't stop moving, pacing the length of the sunny room.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Our conversation is fragmented, and she lets out a torrent of words because she knows that she might be cut off any minute.

    Blog text (12)

  • Can you?" As before, it took a moment to recover myself from Rath's torrent of words.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Kay's anger burst from him in a torrent of words.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • In a torrent of words, Field apprised us of his morning's machinations.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • The sound of his silky voice on his outgoing message grated against my barely controlled fury, and a torrent of words spilled out of me.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Qaddafi spoke for 90 minutes, and in the midst of his torrent of words, his translator actually broke down and cried out, "I can't take it anymore."

    Academic text (2011)

  • Maybe my mother's torrent of words washed him clean of them by poisoning their use, or perhaps he simply became worn and wary of their repetition, futility, and their treason.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Kay's anger burst from him in a torrent of words as he expressed his frustration.

Synonyms

rant
vstorrent of words
  • Informal
102 5.1

A long loud speech or piece of writing showing anger

is intense continuous talk focused on emotion not necessarily anger or complaint
barrage
vstorrent of words
35 6.8

A large fast stream of questions, messages or criticism sent to someone

is about continuous intense speech rather than a directed stream of items
torrent
vstorrent of words
17 4.4

A large sudden flow of words or feelings from someone

is continuous rapid speech with strong emotion rather than a sudden general outpouring

Antonyms

silence
660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

quiet
45 1.0

A calm time with little or no sound

muteness
1 6.8

Not speaking because someone cannot or chooses not to speak

How Wordy

torrent of words
  • Informal
1 6.8
monologue
124 4.8
speech
  • Formal
∞ 1.8
comment
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

torrent of words singular
torrents of words plural

Morphology

torrent + of + words

The phrase combines 'torrent' (a large, rapid flow) with 'words', so the meaning 'a rapid, continuous flow of speech' is directly derivable from the constituents; the metaphorical extension of a physical flow to speech is common and predictable. A B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer this meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Torrent of words paints a picture of water pouring fast and hard, with torrent meaning a strong flood that seems to pour out many words from a person's mouth. That's why it means 'talking quickly and without stopping'.