inundated - Master This Word
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inundated Word Meanings
- to flood with water
- to overwhelm with something
- to be inundated with requests
inundated Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
inundated Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɪnʌndeɪt/
US
/ˈɪnʌndeɪt/
inundated Word Etymology
in- (not) + undare (to surge) → Latin → Old French → English. Visualize a home engulfed in water, the flood covering everything, to remember 'inundate' as a powerful surge overwhelming a space or situation.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
In English, inundate means to flood something with water or to overwhelm it with a large amount of something. It covers literal and figurative uses, and its tone is fairly strong and slightly formal. People often say a website, inbox, or city can be inundated with traffic, emails, or complaints, implying a sudden, heavy influx that overwhelms capacity. The phrase 'inundated with' is the common collocation. The verb forms are inundate (present), inundated (past/participle), and inundating (present participle). While 'inundate' conveys intensity, many learners prefer 'flood' or 'overwhelm' in everyday speech; 'inundate' tends to appear in writing, reports, or formal announcements.
Usage Reminders
- - Use with 'with' after the verb (inundated with emails, traffic, etc.)
- - Reserve for strong, formal tone; not for casual everyday talk
- - Distinguish from flood when talking about water versus information
- - Remember the tense: inundate, inundated, inundating
- - Prefer synonyms like flood or overwhelm in informal contexts
Common Misconceptions
- It only means a flood of water, not a flood of information.
- It is always negative; you can't use it for positive overload.
- It cannot take 'with' when describing something overwhelming.
- People mix it up with 'flood' as a noun rather than a verb.
- The word should only be used in formal writing
Thinking Differences
Learners should note that inundate carries a strong, sometimes formal tone and can apply to both literal floods and overloads; it is not as casual as 'flood' in many contexts.
Learning Tips
- Create a mental image of a space overwhelmed by water and by emails or calls
- Practice 'inundate' with both literal and figurative nouns
- Compare with 'flood' and 'overwhelm' to feel nuance
- Use authentic sources (news, reports) to see formal usage
- Remember the common collocation 'inundated with'
- Review past participle forms: inundate, inundated, inundating
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