Imagine a river that has too much water, and the water goes out of the river onto the land where people live or farm. This is a flood. When we say something is flooded, it means it is covered with a lot of water. It can also mean you have too much of something, like a room flooded with light or your email inbox flooded with messages. So, flooded means there's a huge amount of something, often water, where it usually isn't, or more of something than you can handle.
At the B2 CEFR level, understanding the adjective 'flood' primarily involves its common adjectival form: 'flooded'.
This describes a situation where an area is covered with a large amount of water, often due to heavy rain or a burst pipe.
Metaphorically, 'flooded' can also express being overwhelmed by an excessive quantity of something, like being 'flooded with emails' or 'flooded with emotions'.
It implies a sense of being inundated or swamped, making it difficult to manage or process everything.
§ How to use it in a sentence — grammar, prepositions
The word "flood" as an adjective is typically used in its past participle form, "flooded." This form describes a state of being overwhelmed by water or, metaphorically, by a large quantity of something else. It functions as a descriptive adjective, often preceding the noun it modifies or following a linking verb (like "to be").
- Grammar Note
- While "flood" can be a noun (e.g., "a great flood") or a verb (e.g., "the river will flood"), its adjectival use almost exclusively appears as "flooded." Using "flood" directly as an adjective (e.g., "flood waters") is less common for describing a state and more for compound nouns or attributive uses where "flood" acts like a noun adjunct.
When using "flooded," pay attention to the prepositions that often accompany it, as they clarify the cause or nature of the overwhelming state.
§ With "with"
The most common preposition used with "flooded" is "with." This indicates the substance or item that is causing the flooding or overwhelming sensation.
After the heavy rainfall, the basement was completely flooded with water.
Her inbox was flooded with emails after she returned from vacation.
The market was flooded with cheap imitations, making it difficult to sell genuine products.
§ With "by"
Less commonly, "by" can be used, particularly to indicate the agent or cause of the flooding, often in a passive construction, or to highlight the source of the overwhelming quantity.
The coastal town was flooded by the sudden storm surge.
She felt flooded by emotion during the touching ceremony.
§ Without a Preposition (Attributive Use)
When "flooded" directly precedes a noun, it functions as an attributive adjective, and a preposition is often not needed. This is common when describing a place that has been inundated.
Residents were evacuated from their flooded homes.
The emergency teams worked to pump water out of the flooded streets.
§ Metaphorical Uses
The metaphorical use of "flooded" is very common, extending the idea of being overwhelmed by water to being overwhelmed by information, emotions, requests, or other abstract concepts.
Information Overload: "His mind was flooded with new ideas after the conference."
Emotional Response: "She was flooded with relief when she heard the good news."
Market Saturation: "The industry is flooded with similar products, making it hard to stand out."
§ Common Phrases and Collocations
Here are some common phrases where "flooded" is used as an adjective:
Flooded roads/streets: Referring to roads covered in water.
Flooded basement/house: Describing parts of a building inundated with water.
Flooded with light: Metaphorically, a room filled with abundant light.
Flooded with memories: Experiencing a sudden rush of recollections.
Flooded market: A market with an oversupply of goods.
Understanding these common collocations will help you use "flooded" more naturally and effectively in your writing and speech.
§ Similar Words and When to Use 'Flooded' vs. Alternatives
When describing a situation involving an overwhelming amount of something, particularly water, the adjective 'flooded' is often the most direct and natural choice. However, several other words can convey similar meanings, each with slightly different nuances. Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the most precise word for your context.
Let's explore some alternatives and when to use them:
- DEFINITION
- Describing a state where a place is completely covered or submerged by water.
This is the most common and direct alternative when referring to water. It is often interchangeable with 'flooded' in many contexts, particularly when the emphasis is on the presence of water covering an area.
The entire valley was submerged after the heavy rainfall.
- DEFINITION
- Describing something that is completely full, often to the point of overflowing, with a liquid or, metaphorically, with something abstract.
'Inundated' carries a stronger sense of being overwhelmed or overcome by a large quantity. While it can be used for water, it is also frequently used metaphorically for an abundance of non-physical things like work, requests, or information.
The customer service department was inundated with complaints after the product recall.
- DEFINITION
- Describing a place that is excessively full or crowded with people or things.
'Swamped' is excellent for conveying a sense of being overwhelmed by work or responsibilities, often implying that one is struggling to cope. While it can refer to an area filled with water (like a swamp), its metaphorical use for being overburdened is more prevalent.
I'm completely swamped with deadlines this week.
- DEFINITION
- Describing something completely filled with a substance, often to a detrimental extent, or overwhelmed with emotion.
'Deluged' is quite strong and often implies a massive, almost biblical, amount of something, especially water or rain. Metaphorically, it suggests an overwhelming quantity that can be difficult to manage.
The town was deluged by torrential rains for three days straight.
§ Key Differences and When to Use 'Flooded'
- 'Flooded' is your go-to word when describing an area covered with water, whether due to natural causes (rain, overflowing rivers) or man-made issues (burst pipes). It's also versatile for metaphorical use to imply an overwhelming inflow of something.
- 'Submerged' is very similar to 'flooded' for water situations but emphasizes being completely underwater or covered.
- 'Inundated' is excellent for both literal water situations and, more commonly, metaphorical situations where someone is overwhelmed by a large volume of non-physical things (e.g., emails, tasks, information). It often has a formal tone.
- 'Swamped' is particularly effective for conveying the feeling of being overwhelmed with work, responsibilities, or problems, making it difficult to cope. It's often used in a more informal context.
- 'Deluged' suggests a very large, powerful, and overwhelming quantity, often with a sense of destruction or difficulty. It's a strong word for significant events, both literal (heavy rain) and metaphorical (a deluge of criticism).
In summary, while 'flooded' is a strong and widely understood adjective for situations involving an excessive amount of water or, metaphorically, other things, choosing from 'submerged,' 'inundated,' 'swamped,' or 'deluged' allows for finer distinctions in meaning and tone, helping you to communicate your message with greater precision and impact.
難易度
The definition is moderately complex, requiring careful reading to grasp both literal and metaphorical meanings. The note about 'flooded' adds a layer of understanding for adjectival usage.
Using 'flood' as an adjective correctly, particularly understanding when to use 'flooded', requires nuance. Constructing sentences that accurately convey either the literal or metaphorical sense will be a moderate challenge.
Similar to writing, correctly using 'flood' as an adjective in spoken English, especially differentiating from the verb or noun, demands precision. The metaphorical usage adds to the complexity in real-time communication.
Understanding 'flood' as an adjective (or 'flooded') in various contexts, including its metaphorical use, requires good comprehension skills. The context will be key to distinguishing it from other forms.
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レベル別の例文
After days of heavy rain, the river overflowed, and the nearby fields were completely flooded.
После нескольких дней проливных дождей река вышла из берегов, и близлежащие поля были полностью затоплены.
Here, 'flooded' acts as a past participle used as an adjective, describing the state of the fields.
The basement was flooded with over a foot of water after the pipe burst.
Подвал был затоплен более чем на фут воды после того, как лопнула труба.
'Flooded' is again used as an adjective, indicating the condition of the basement.
She felt absolutely flooded with emotions when she heard the good news.
Она чувствовала себя совершенно переполненной эмоциями, когда услышала хорошие новости.
This is a metaphorical use of 'flooded,' describing an overwhelming amount of emotion. It functions adjectivally.
The market was flooded with cheap imitations after the popular product was released.
Рынок был наводнен дешевыми подделками после выхода популярного продукта.
Another metaphorical use; 'flooded' describes the market being overwhelmed by a large quantity of something.
Despite their efforts, the emergency services struggled to cope with the flooded roads.
Несмотря на их усилия, экстренные службы с трудом справлялись с затопленными дорогами.
'Flooded' directly modifies 'roads,' indicating their state.
His inbox was flooded with emails after he accidentally replied 'all' to the company-wide message.
Его почтовый ящик был завален электронными письмами после того, как он случайно ответил 'всем' на сообщение для всей компании.
Metaphorical use of 'flooded,' describing an overwhelming quantity of emails. Functions adjectivally.
The museum's ground floor was flooded, causing significant damage to several exhibits.
Цокольный этаж музея был затоплен, что привело к значительному повреждению нескольких экспонатов.
'Flooded' describes the condition of the ground floor.
After the concert, the streets were flooded with enthusiastic fans.
После концерта улицы были заполнены восторженными фанатами.
Metaphorical use of 'flooded,' indicating a large crowd filling the streets. Functions adjectivally.
実生活で練習する
実際の使用場面
After three days of non-stop rain, the river burst its banks, leaving the entire village **flooded**.
- flooded with water
- the area was flooded
- left flooded
The small shop was **flooded** with customers eager to get their hands on the new product, making it difficult for the staff to keep up.
- flooded with customers
- overwhelmed by the flood of people
- a flood of orders
My inbox was completely **flooded** with emails after I announced my new online course, and it took me days to reply to everyone.
- flooded with emails
- an inbox flooded
- a flood of messages
The basement apartment was completely **flooded** after the pipe burst, causing extensive damage to all the furniture.
- completely flooded
- the apartment flooded
- was flooded with water
During peak season, the popular tourist destination is often **flooded** with visitors, leading to crowded attractions and long queues.
- flooded with tourists
- the area is flooded
- a flood of visitors
会話のきっかけ
"Have you ever experienced a flooded area due to heavy rain or a burst pipe? What was it like?"
"In what situations have you felt 'flooded' or overwhelmed by something, like work, emails, or responsibilities?"
"What measures do you think communities should take to prevent areas from being flooded during extreme weather?"
"Can you think of a time when a place was 'flooded' with people or activity in a positive way?"
"How do you typically handle situations where you feel flooded or overwhelmed by too much information or too many tasks?"
日記のテーマ
Describe a time you witnessed or were affected by a literal flood. How did it impact you and your surroundings?
Reflect on a period in your life when you felt metaphorically 'flooded' with emotions, responsibilities, or information. How did you cope with this feeling?
Imagine you are a city planner tasked with designing a new neighborhood in an area prone to flooding. What architectural and environmental solutions would you propose?
Write about a situation where a place was 'flooded' with something positive, like creativity, joy, or generosity. How did it feel to be a part of that?
Consider the phrase 'flooded with memories.' Write about a specific memory that brings forth a flood of other related memories and emotions.
自分をテスト 18 問
Imagine your toy boat is floating in a puddle after the rain. Write two sentences about what your boat is doing. Use simple words.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My toy boat can float. It is in a big puddle.
Think about a lot of water. Where do you see a lot of water? Write one sentence about it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I see a lot of water in the lake.
If your bathtub is full of water, what does it look like? Write one short sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
The bathtub is full of water.
What happened to the playground after the rain?
Read this passage:
After a big rain, the playground had many puddles. My shoes got wet when I played. There was a lot of water on the ground.
What happened to the playground after the rain?
The passage says, 'After a big rain, the playground had many puddles.'
The passage says, 'After a big rain, the playground had many puddles.'
What covered some of the flowers?
Read this passage:
My small garden was very wet today. The plants like water, but this was too much! The water covered some of my flowers.
What covered some of the flowers?
The passage states, 'The water covered some of my flowers.'
The passage states, 'The water covered some of my flowers.'
What did the street look like after the rain?
Read this passage:
The street looked like a small river after the heavy rain. Cars drove very slowly. Kids could not play outside.
What did the street look like after the rain?
The passage says, 'The street looked like a small river after the heavy rain.'
The passage says, 'The street looked like a small river after the heavy rain.'
Imagine your kitchen sink is overflowing with water. Describe what you see and what you would do. Use at least two sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Oh no, the sink is overflowing! Water is everywhere on the floor. I need to turn off the tap quickly and grab some towels.
Think about a time you felt like you had too much homework or too many things to do. Write two sentences describing how you felt.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Today I have too much homework. I feel very busy and a little stressed because there are so many things to do.
If a city gets a lot of rain and the streets are full of water, how would people travel? Write two sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
If there is a lot of rain and water on the streets, people might not be able to drive. They would have to walk carefully or stay home.
What happened to some streets near the river?
Read this passage:
Last night, there was a very heavy storm. The river rose quickly. This morning, some streets near the river are flooded with water. People cannot drive their cars on these streets.
What happened to some streets near the river?
The passage says, 'some streets near the river are flooded with water,' which means they are full of water.
The passage says, 'some streets near the river are flooded with water,' which means they are full of water.
What does 'flooded with them' mean in this passage?
Read this passage:
My little sister has so many toys! Her room is often flooded with them. It's hard to walk without stepping on something. She needs to put them away.
What does 'flooded with them' mean in this passage?
The passage talks about 'so many toys' and that 'her room is often flooded with them,' meaning there are too many toys, not water.
The passage talks about 'so many toys' and that 'her room is often flooded with them,' meaning there are too many toys, not water.
Why is it dangerous to go to the low-lying areas?
Read this passage:
The news said that after the big rain, the low-lying areas of the city were flooded. This means water covered those areas. It is dangerous to go there.
Why is it dangerous to go to the low-lying areas?
The passage states, 'the low-lying areas of the city were flooded. This means water covered those areas. It is dangerous to go there.'
The passage states, 'the low-lying areas of the city were flooded. This means water covered those areas. It is dangerous to go there.'
Listen for the state of the low-lying areas after heavy rains.
Listen for how the speaker felt after hearing the news.
Listen for what happened to the basement and why.
Read this aloud:
Describe a time when you felt flooded with too much information.
Focus: flooded, information
あなたの回答：
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Read this aloud:
Explain the environmental consequences of a heavily flooded region.
Focus: environmental, consequences, region
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Imagine you are explaining to a friend why your garden became flooded after a storm. What would you say?
Focus: garden, flooded, storm
あなたの回答：
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/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
例文
The kitchen floor was flooded because I forgot to turn off the tap.
関連コンテンツ
Weatherの関連語
atmospheric
B2Describes a place or a piece of art that creates a distinctive and often pleasant or interesting mood or feeling. It can also relate to the layer of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet in a scientific context.
balmy
C1心地よく暖かく、穏やかな気候や空気を表す言葉だよ。暑すぎず寒すぎず、優しい感じの時によく使うね。
breezy
B2心地よく風が吹いている天気、またはリラックスした自信のある態度やスタイルを指します。
blizzard
B2A severe snowstorm characterized by very strong winds and low visibility over an extended period. In a metaphorical sense, it refers to an overwhelming or confusing mass of something that arrives suddenly, such as data or paperwork.
temperatures
B1The plural of temperature, this word refers to the measured degree of heat or coldness of a place, substance, or object. It is often used to describe a range of measurements over time or across different locations.
chill
A1A mild but unpleasant feeling of coldness in the air or in the body. It often describes the temperature when it is cool enough to make you shiver but not freezing.
snowy
A1Describes a place or time that is covered with snow or has a lot of snow falling. It is often used to talk about winter weather and the white appearance of the ground.
warming
B1The process of becoming warmer or the act of making something warm. It is frequently used to describe the steady increase in the Earth's average atmospheric temperature, known as global warming.
evaporate
A1To evaporate is when a liquid, like water, turns into a gas or steam. This usually happens when the liquid becomes warm, such as when the sun dries a puddle on the street.
alert
A1A warning message or signal that tells people about a dangerous situation. In weather, it is used to tell people that bad weather like a storm or flood is coming soon.
