What is flood? Pronunciation and usage in English

flood means . Learn how to pronounce and use flood through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of flood

floodnoun/verb

/flʌd/
Definition & pronunciation of flood

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "flood" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common pronunciation is: /fluːd/

Let's break it down phonetically:

  • fl - pronounced like the "fl" in "flag" (short "u" sound)
  • u - pronounced like the "oo" in "moon" (a long "oo" sound)
  • d - pronounced like the "d" in "dog"

Putting it together: It sounds like "floood" – emphasizing the second syllable.

Here's a helpful breakdown with sounds:

Tips:

  • Pay attention to the length of the "oo" sound – it’s long, not short.
  • The "d" at the end is a standard "d" sound.

Do you want me to:

  • Say it slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences with "flood"?

Usage and examples with the word flood in English

Let's break down how to use the word "flood" in English. It's a really versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Literal Meaning: Water Overflowing

  • Definition: The most basic meaning - a large amount of water covering an area that is normally dry.
  • Examples:
    • "The river flooded after heavy rainfall."
    • "The coastal town was flooded by the storm surge."
    • "The basement flooded when the pipe burst."
    • "We had a flood in the kitchen – be careful!"

2. Figurative Meanings (Most Common)

These are where "flood" gets really interesting – it’s used to describe large amounts of anything besides water.

  • a) A Large Quantity of Something: This is the most common use in figurative speech.

    • Example: “I was overwhelmed with emails – it felt like a flood!” (Meaning: an excessive amount).
    • "The country experienced a flood of tourists during the summer." (Meaning: a large number).
    • "The company faced a flood of complaints after the product launch." (Meaning: a large number of complaints).
    • “He’s been bombarded with job offers, it’s like a flood!”

  • b) An Overwhelming Amount of Information/Ideas: Similar to the above, but specifically about information.

    • Example: “The internet is a flood of conflicting information.”
    • "The artist’s work is a flood of vibrant colours and complex themes.” (Meaning: a lot of varied and intense elements).

3. Other Uses & Phrases

  • Flood (someone) with something: To overwhelm someone with something, usually something positive.

    • "The audience flooded the stage after the concert." (Meaning: many people crowded onto the stage).
    • “She was flooded with congratulations on her new job.” (Meaning: she received many congratulations).

  • Floodlights: Strong lights used to illuminate a large area (often sports arenas or stages). “The stadium was lit by floodlights.”

  • Floodplain: An area of low-lying land that is prone to flooding. "The city’s floodplain management plan is crucial."

  • Flood (a river): To cause a river to overflow. “Heavy rains flooded the river.”

Tips for Using "Flood" Effectively:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "flood" is almost always clear from the context.
  • Consider Alternatives: Sometimes words like "wave," "surge," "stream," "rush," or "overload" might be more precise depending on what you’re describing.
  • Figurative Language: When using "flood" figuratively, think about what is overwhelming. Is it numbers, ideas, or something else?

Resources for More Examples:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you hoping to use the word "flood" in? (e.g., a creative writing piece, a formal essay, a casual conversation?)

Synonyms for the word flood

Practice with vocabulary flood

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After days of continuous rain, the low-lying areas were hit by a severe ______ that damaged many homes.
  2. The city implemented strict water restrictions due to the prolonged ______ in the region.
  3. Upon opening the customer feedback portal, the team was met with a ______ of complaints regarding the recent software update.
  4. Employees are advised to promptly report any water ______ observed from the ceiling or pipes to maintenance.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The rapid snowmelt caused the river to ______ its banks, impacting downstream communities. A) recede B) overflow C) dry up D) trickle
  2. During the quarterly earnings call, the CEO faced a ______ of difficult questions from analysts. A) scarcity B) shortage C) flood D) torrent
  3. The sudden influx of tourists during the festival threatened to ______ the public transportation system. A) deplete B) relieve C) overwhelm D) clear
  4. News of the major policy change began to ______ through social media channels almost instantly. A) ebb B) flood C) cease D) spread
  5. Due to the unexpected server outage, a significant ______ of data was lost before backup systems engaged. A) trickle B) deficit C) amount D) void

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The heavy rainfall caused the river to burst its banks and cover the surrounding farmland. (Rewrite using a form of "flood")
  2. After the company went public, there was an enormous quantity of investment opportunities. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "enormous quantity")
  3. Following the viral marketing campaign, inquiries for the new product came in very quickly. (Rewrite using a form of "flood")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. flood
  2. drought
  3. flood
  4. leak

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) overflow
  2. C) flood, D) torrent
  3. C) overwhelm
  4. B) flood, D) spread
  5. C) amount

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The heavy rainfall caused the river to flood the surrounding farmland.
  2. After the company went public, there was a plethora of investment opportunities.
  3. Following the viral marketing campaign, inquiries for the new product flooded in.

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