Flood vs. Flooding — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 31, 2023
A "flood" refers to an overflow of water onto typically dry land, while "flooding" describes the process or action of such overflow occurring.
Difference Between Flood and Flooding
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Flood" is a noun that signifies the actual event or occurrence when water overflows beyond its typical confines. On the contrary, "flooding" can serve as both a noun and a verb, denoting the action or process of water overflowing.
When one speaks of a flood, they often reference a specific event or situation, such as "The town experienced a major flood last year." In comparison, when someone uses "flooding," they might be referring to the ongoing or impending action, as in "The town is flooding due to heavy rain."
The term "flood" can also be used metaphorically to indicate an overwhelming quantity of something, like "a flood of emotions." "Flooding," being more action-oriented, is less likely to be used in such metaphorical contexts.
Both "flood" and "flooding" can describe the same event but from different perspectives. "Flood" often focuses on the aftermath or the actual situation of excessive water, while "flooding" emphasizes the process or the act of water rising and overflowing.
Historically, the term "flood" has often been used in literature and religious texts to denote significant deluge events, while "flooding" as a term underscores the action and dynamics of such events unfolding.
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Comparison Chart
Grammatical Role
Primarily a noun
Can be both a noun and a verb
Focus
The event or situation
The action or process
Metaphorical Use
More common (e.g., flood of emotions)
Less common
Historical Usage
Denotes significant deluge events
Emphasizes the unfolding of such events
Temporal Context
Can refer to a past or current event
Often implies ongoing or impending action
Compare with Definitions
Flood
Arrive in overwhelming amounts or quantities
Sunlight flooded in at the windows
Congratulatory messages flooded in
His old fears came flooding back
Flooding
The action of water overflowing onto land.
The constant rain led to flooding in the region.
Flood
A biblical event where the earth was covered by water.
The story of Noah recounts a great flood.
Flooding
The act of filling a space or area completely.
Flooding of the market with cheap products hurts local businesses.
Flood
An inundation, as by an overflowing stream.
The sudden rain caused a flood in the valley.
Flooding
The condition of being inundated or submerged.
After the hurricane, the city faced severe flooding.
Flood
A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. In the sense of "flowing water", the word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide.
Flooding
An excessive flow or quantity.
The damaged pipe is causing flooding in the basement.
Flood
An overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land
A flood barrier
The villagers had been cut off by floods and landslides
Flooding
The phenomenon of too much fluid in a particular body area.
Lung flooding is a serious medical condition.
Flood
An outpouring of tears
She burst into floods of tears
Flooding
An overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry.
Flood
Short for floodlight
Flooding
A flood tide.
Flood
Cover or submerge (an area) with water in a flood
The dam burst, flooding a small town
Flooding
A large amount or number, especially when moving from one place to another
Received a flood of applications.
Flood
(of a woman) experience a uterine haemorrhage.
Flooding
A floodlight, specifically a unit that produces a beam of intense light.
Flood
An overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry.
Flooding
Flood In the Bible, the covering of the earth with water that occurred during the time of Noah.
Flood
A flood tide.
Flooding
To cover or submerge with water; inundate
The town was flooded when the dam burst.
Flood
A large amount or number, especially when moving from one place to another
Received a flood of applications.
Flooding
To move into or fill in large numbers or amounts
People flooded the square. His inbox was flooded with mail.
Flood
A floodlight, specifically a unit that produces a beam of intense light.
Flooding
To overwhelm in large numbers
The theater was flooded with ticket requests.
Flood
Flood In the Bible, the covering of the earth with water that occurred during the time of Noah.
Flooding
To put too much fuel into the carburetor of (an engine), resulting in unsuccessful ignition.
Flood
To cover or submerge with water; inundate
The town was flooded when the dam burst.
Flooding
To become inundated or submerged
The underpass floods after a heavy rain.
Flood
To move into or fill in large numbers or amounts
People flooded the square. His inbox was flooded with mail.
Flooding
To pour forth; overflow
The river floods nearly every spring.
Flood
To overwhelm in large numbers
The theater was flooded with ticket requests.
Flooding
Present participle of flood
Flood
To put too much fuel into the carburetor of (an engine), resulting in unsuccessful ignition.
Flooding
An act of flooding; a flood or gush.
Flood
To become inundated or submerged
The underpass floods after a heavy rain.
Flooding
Emotional overwhelm sometimes leading to a primal state of rage or panic.
Flood
To pour forth; overflow
The river floods nearly every spring.
Flooding
(psychology) A form of therapy that treats a phobia by suddenly exposing the patient to the object of the phobia, instead of approaching it gradually.
Flood
An overflow (usually disastrous) of water from a lake or other body of water due to excessive rainfall or other input of water.
Flooding
The filling or covering with water or other fluid; overflow; inundation; the filling anything to excess.
Flood
(figuratively) A large number or quantity of anything appearing more rapidly than can easily be dealt with.
A flood of complaints
Flooding
An abnormal or excessive discharge of blood from the uterus.
Flood
The flowing in of the tide, opposed to the ebb.
Flooding
A technique used in behavior therapy; client is flooded with experiences of a particular kind until becoming either averse to them or numbed to them
Flood
A floodlight.
Flooding
Overfull with water;
Swollen rivers and creeks
Flood
Menstrual discharge; menses.
Flood
(obsolete) Water as opposed to land.
Flood
To overflow, as by water from excessive rainfall.
Flood
To cover or partly fill as if by a flood.
The floor was flooded with beer.
They flooded the room with sewage.
Flood
(figuratively) To provide (someone or something) with a larger number or quantity of something than can easily be dealt with.
The station's switchboard was flooded with listeners making complaints.
Flood
To paste numerous lines of text to (a chat system) in order to disrupt the conversation.
Flood
To bleed profusely, as after childbirth.
Flood
A great flow of water; a body of moving water; the flowing stream, as of a river; especially, a body of water, rising, swelling, and overflowing land not usually thus covered; a deluge; a freshet; an inundation.
A covenant never to destroyThe earth again by flood.
Flood
The flowing in of the tide; the semidiurnal swell or rise of water in the ocean; - opposed to ebb; as, young flood; high flood.
There is a tide in the affairs of men,Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.
Flood
A great flow or stream of any fluid substance; as, a flood of light; a flood of lava; hence, a great quantity widely diffused; an overflowing; a superabundance; as, a flood of bank notes; a flood of paper currency.
Flood
Menstrual disharge; menses.
Flood
To overflow; to inundate; to deluge; as, the swollen river flooded the valley.
Flood
To cause or permit to be inundated; to fill or cover with water or other fluid; as, to flood arable land for irrigation; to fill to excess or to its full capacity; as, to flood a country with a depreciated currency.
Flood
The rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land;
Plains fertilized by annual inundations
Flood
An overwhelming number or amount;
A flood of requests
A torrent of abuse
Flood
Light that is a source of artificial illumination having a broad beam; used in photography
Flood
A large flow
Flood
The act of flooding; filling to overflowing
Flood
The inward flow of the tide;
A tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune
Flood
Fill quickly beyond capacity; as with a liquid;
The basement was inundated after the storm
The images flooded his mind
Flood
Cover with liquid, usually water;
The swollen river flooded the village
The broken vein had flooded blood in her eyes
Flood
Supply with an excess of;
Flood the market with tennis shoes
Glut the country with cheap imports from the Orient
Flood
Become filled to overflowing;
Our basement flooded during the heavy rains
Flood
An overflow of water onto typically dry land.
The town was devastated by the flood.
Flood
A great outpouring or surge.
He received a flood of emails after the announcement.
Flood
An excessive amount or number.
There's a flood of new products in the market.
Common Curiosities
Which term, "flood" or "flooding", is more action-oriented?
"Flooding" is more action-oriented, emphasizing the process of overflow.
Is "flood" used metaphorically?
Yes, "flood" can refer to an overwhelming quantity of something, like emotions or information.
What is the primary difference between "flood" and "flooding"?
"Flood" is a noun denoting an overflow event, while "flooding" describes the process or action of overflow.
Can "flood" refer to events other than water overflow?
Yes, metaphorically it can refer to any overwhelming surge or outpouring.
How does "flood" relate to historical or religious events?
"Flood" has been used in literature and religious texts to denote significant deluge events, like the biblical flood.
Are "flood" and "flooding" used in scientific contexts?
Yes, both can be used in hydrology, geology, and even medicine to describe various phenomena.
Does "flooding" always relate to adverse events?
While often associated with unwanted overflows, "flooding" neutrally denotes the action, regardless of desirability.
Can "flooding" refer to something other than water?
Yes, while typically water-related, "flooding" can denote an excessive flow of any substance.
How does "flooding" impact the environment?
Flooding can reshape landscapes, affect ecosystems, and even influence climate patterns.
Can "flooding" be used as a verb?
Yes, "flooding" can indicate the action of water overflowing, e.g., "The river is flooding the town."
Is a flood always a natural disaster?
No, while often natural, floods can result from human actions, like dam failures.
Can a "flood" be controlled or prevented?
There are flood control measures, but not all floods can be fully prevented.
Do "flood" and "flooding" have specific seasons?
Some regions have flood or flooding seasons, often related to monsoons or snowmelt.
Is "flooding" a modern phenomenon?
While flood events are ancient, certain flooding occurrences are exacerbated by modern factors like urbanization.
How do "flood" and "flooding" relate to climate change?
Climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of both flood events and flooding due to extreme weather patterns.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
