Flood vs. Flooding: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Flood is a noun referring to a large amount of water covering an area usually dry, while Flooding is the verb form or gerund describing the process or action of a flood occurring.
Key Differences
Flood as a noun, denotes an event where water inundates land that is typically dry. This could be due to excessive rain, river overflow, or other causes. Flooding refers to the act or process by which this inundation occurs. It emphasizes the dynamic, ongoing nature of the water's movement and spread.
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Dec 01, 2023
When talking about impacts, a Flood is the event responsible for the damage, such as a flood damaging homes. Flooding describes the process leading to this damage, like the rising river levels leading to flooding of the homes.
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Dec 01, 2023
In terms of planning and response, measures are taken against a potential Flood, like constructing levees. In contrast, actions taken during Flooding involve immediate responses such as evacuation during the active process of an area becoming flooded.
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Dec 01, 2023
In reporting or historical context, a Flood is often mentioned as a specific incident, like the Great Flood of 1927. Flooding is used to describe the occurrence or series of events, such as the area experiencing flooding annually during the monsoon.
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Dec 01, 2023
Flood can also be used metaphorically to describe a large quantity of anything, like a flood of emotions. Flooding, in its gerund form, could describe the ongoing experience of being overwhelmed, as in "She was flooding with emotions."
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Dec 01, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An inundation of a large amount of water in an area.
The process or action of being inundated by water.
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Dec 01, 2023
Context Usage
Refers to the event or instance of inundation.
Describes the ongoing action or process of inundation.
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Dec 01, 2023
Planning and Response
Measures taken against the event.
Actions during the ongoing event.
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Dec 01, 2023
Metaphorical Use
Can describe an overwhelming amount of anything.
Refers to the ongoing experience of being overwhelmed.
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Dec 01, 2023
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Flood and Flooding Definitions
Flood
A flood implies a sudden, overwhelming influx.
The concert cancellation led to a flood of refund requests.
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Dec 01, 2023
Flooding
Flooding is often used to describe an emergency situation.
Emergency services were dispatched due to severe flooding in the region.
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Dec 01, 2023
Flood
Specifically, a flood can mean the overflowing of a river.
The river flood affected several low-lying communities.
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Dec 01, 2023
Flooding
Flooding implies a continuous, often rapid influx of water.
Persistent rainfall led to flooding in the coastal area.
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Dec 01, 2023
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Flooding
Flooding emphasizes the dynamic and ongoing movement of water.
Flooding from the storm surge threatened the island’s infrastructure.
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Dec 01, 2023
Flooding
Flooding refers to the action of a river or body of water overflowing.
The dam's failure resulted in the flooding of nearby towns.
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Dec 01, 2023
Flood
A large amount or number, especially when moving from one place to another
Received a flood of applications.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
A floodlight, specifically a unit that produces a beam of intense light.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
Flood In the Bible, the covering of the earth with water that occurred during the time of Noah.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
A large amount or number, especially when moving from one place to another
Received a flood of applications.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
To cover or submerge with water; inundate
The town was flooded when the dam burst.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
A floodlight, specifically a unit that produces a beam of intense light.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
To move into or fill in large numbers or amounts
People flooded the square. His inbox was flooded with mail.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
Flood In the Bible, the covering of the earth with water that occurred during the time of Noah.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
To overwhelm in large numbers
The theater was flooded with ticket requests.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
To cover or submerge with water; inundate
The town was flooded when the dam burst.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
To put too much fuel into the carburetor of (an engine), resulting in unsuccessful ignition.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
To move into or fill in large numbers or amounts
People flooded the square. His inbox was flooded with mail.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
To become inundated or submerged
The underpass floods after a heavy rain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
To overwhelm in large numbers
The theater was flooded with ticket requests.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
To put too much fuel into the carburetor of (an engine), resulting in unsuccessful ignition.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
An overflow (usually disastrous) of water from a lake or other body of water due to excessive rainfall or other input of water.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
To become inundated or submerged
The underpass floods after a heavy rain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
(figuratively) A large number or quantity of anything appearing more rapidly than can easily be dealt with.
A flood of complaints
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
Emotional overwhelm sometimes leading to a primal state of rage or panic.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
The filling or covering with water or other fluid; overflow; inundation; the filling anything to excess.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
To cover or partly fill as if by a flood.
The floor was flooded with beer.
They flooded the room with sewage.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
To paste numerous lines of text to (a chat system) in order to disrupt the conversation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flooding
Flooding is the act or process of water overflowing onto land.
Flooding during the spring thaw caused road closures.
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Dec 01, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
To overflow; to inundate; to deluge; as, the swollen river flooded the valley.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
The rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land;
Plains fertilized by annual inundations
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
An overwhelming number or amount;
A flood of requests
A torrent of abuse
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
Light that is a source of artificial illumination having a broad beam; used in photography
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
The inward flow of the tide;
A tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
Fill quickly beyond capacity; as with a liquid;
The basement was inundated after the storm
The images flooded his mind
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
Cover with liquid, usually water;
The swollen river flooded the village
The broken vein had flooded blood in her eyes
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
Supply with an excess of;
Flood the market with tennis shoes
Glut the country with cheap imports from the Orient
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
Become filled to overflowing;
Our basement flooded during the heavy rains
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Oct 19, 2023
Flood
A flood is an overflow of water covering land that is usually dry.
The flood after the hurricane left the entire valley submerged.
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Dec 01, 2023
Flood
Flood can also refer to a great quantity of anything.
A flood of applicants arrived for the new job opening.
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Dec 01, 2023
Flood
A flood is often used to describe a natural disaster.
The 2005 flood was one of the worst in the city's history.
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Dec 01, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a flood?
A flood is an overflow of a large amount of water onto land that is normally dry.
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Dec 01, 2023
Are all floods harmful?
While many floods are destructive, some, like seasonal floods, can benefit ecosystems.
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Dec 01, 2023
Is flood a natural disaster?
Yes, a flood is often considered a natural disaster when it causes significant damage.
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Dec 01, 2023
What is flash flooding?
Flash flooding is sudden and intense flooding, usually caused by heavy rainfall.
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Dec 01, 2023
Is flooding always related to weather?
Mostly, but flooding can also occur due to man-made causes like dam failures.
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Dec 01, 2023
Can flooding occur without a flood?
No, flooding is the process that leads to or describes a flood event.
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Dec 01, 2023
What does flooding mean?
Flooding is the process or action of water overflowing and covering land.
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Dec 01, 2023
What are the effects of a flood?
Floods can cause property damage, loss of life, and environmental impacts.
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Dec 01, 2023
What is urban flooding?
Urban flooding is flooding that occurs in cities, often exacerbated by poor drainage and land use.
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Dec 01, 2023
How is flooding caused?
Flooding can be caused by various factors like heavy rainfall, river overflow, or broken dams.
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Dec 01, 2023
Can floods be beneficial?
In some ecosystems, floods can replenish soils and support biodiversity.
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Dec 01, 2023
How do we prepare for flooding?
Preparation for flooding includes building flood defenses, planning evacuation routes, and staying informed about weather conditions.
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Dec 01, 2023
Can flooding be predicted?
Flooding can often be predicted through weather forecasts and monitoring water levels.
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Dec 01, 2023
What is the most common cause of flooding?
The most common cause is excessive rainfall, leading to overflow of rivers and water bodies.
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Dec 01, 2023
What is the difference between a flood and a deluge?
A deluge is an intense, heavy downfall of rain, often leading to a flood, which is the actual overflow of water.
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Dec 01, 2023
Can floodwaters be hazardous?
Yes, floodwaters can carry debris, pollutants, and pathogens, posing health risks.
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Dec 01, 2023
How long can flooding last?
Flooding can last from a few hours to several days, depending on the situation.
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Dec 01, 2023
How do floods impact agriculture?
Floods can destroy crops but can also enrich soil with nutrients.
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Dec 01, 2023
Do floods affect wildlife?
Yes, floods can impact wildlife, either negatively or positively, depending on the ecosystem.
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Dec 01, 2023
What role do humans play in flooding?
Human activities like deforestation and urbanization can increase the risk and severity of flooding.
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Dec 01, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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