Make Your Point > Archived Issues > INUNDATE
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pronounce
INUNDATE:
Say it "IN un date."
To hear it, click here.
connect this word to others:
I sometimes text that gif when I'm inundated with emotion.
Inside the word inundate, you can see the Latin undare, "to flow;" and inside undare, you can see unda, "a wave."
Unda appears, also, in abound, abundant, surround, undu____ ("moving in waves"), and r__ound ("to approach and affect, as if washing over with a wave").
Could you recall those last two? Hint: the second one is closely related to the word redundant.
(To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.)
definition:
The word "inundate" has Latin roots that mean "to flow onto."
In English, "inundate" first meant "to flood," literally, with water: "The river inundated the town;" "Egypt is inundated by the Nile;" "The Amazon River inundates the surrounding forest each year."
These days, we often use "inundate" figuratively. When things inundate you, they overwhelm you, as if they're flooding you like an overflowing river.
grammatical bits:
Part of speech:
Verb, the transitive kind: "His fans inundate him with emails;" "In the spring, Florida is inundated by caterpillars dangling from trees. Pro tip: umbrella."
Other forms:
Inundated, inundating; inundation.
The adjective is "inundant," pronounced "in UN dunt." It's rare.
how to use it:
"Inundate" is the highly formal but still very common substitute for the verb "flood." Pick it when you need to emphasize how things are absolutely overwhelming people. The tone is usually negative.
We often talk about people getting inundated by (or with) phone calls, emails, requests, questions, complaints, accusations, etc.
We can also talk about getting inundated by smells, sounds, advertisements, or propaganda. Or about places getting inundated with tourists or migrants.
Basically, if you want to compare things to the rising, rushing waters of a river, you can say they're inundating you.
examples:
"Carlile was inundated with both praise and abuse, as the feelings of his critics leaned to one side or the other."
— Theophila Campbell, The Battle of the Press, 1899
"On an island inundated with mediocre imitation art, the originality of this bohemian art colony is refreshing."
— Ingrid K Williams, New York Times, 21 March 2010
has this page helped you understand "inundate"?
study it:
Explain the meaning of "inundate" without saying "flood" or "wash over like a wave."
try it out:
Like I mentioned, "inundate" usually has a negative tone. But you can certainly talk about being inundated by wonderful things. Here's H. G. Wells: "She was laughing, inundated by the sense of bountiful power, of possession and success."
Use his sentence as a template for your own: "(Someone) was (doing something happy), inundated by (some wonderful thoughts or feelings)."
before you review, play:
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
Country Song, or Springer Episode?
Be warned: this month's game is in poor taste. I had so much fun creating it, so what does that say about me? And if you're good at it, what does that say about you? Oh, snap.
Country songs and Jerry Springer episodes have something in common: their self-aware, over-the-top titles. It's clear that the creators of both enjoyed poking fun at their genre. In each round of the game this month, check out a handful of titles, and see if you can decide whether each belongs to a country song or a Jerry Springer episode. For the answers, scroll all the way down.
Try these today:
1. Morning Grits and Burnt Clothes
2. Would Jesus Wear A Rolex On His Television Show?
3. He's got a Way with Women, and He's Just got Away with Mine
review this word:
A. POOFY.
B. DRIBBLING.
C. SPREADING.
2.
In ecology, the term "inundatal" refers to plants that grow _____.
A. in the shade
B. in gritty, rocky soil
C. in areas that often flood
a final word:
I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love.
I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.
From my blog:
36 ways to study words.
Why we forget words, & how to remember them.
How to use sophisticated words without being awkward.
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.
The word "inundate" has Latin roots that mean "to flow onto."
Part of speech:
"Inundate" is the highly formal but still very common substitute for the verb "flood." Pick it when you need to emphasize how things are absolutely overwhelming people. The tone is usually negative.
"Carlile was inundated with both praise and abuse, as the feelings of his critics leaned to one side or the other."
Explain the meaning of "inundate" without saying "flood" or "wash over like a wave."
Like I mentioned, "inundate" usually has a negative tone. But you can certainly talk about being inundated by wonderful things. Here's H. G. Wells: "She was laughing, inundated by the sense of bountiful power, of possession and success."
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love.
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