First Known Use: 1590
Dictionary
inundate
verb in·un·date \ˈi-(ˌ)nən-ˌdāt\
: to cause (someone or something) to receive or take in a large amount of things at the same time
: to cover (something) with a flood of water
in·un·dat·edin·un·dat·ing
Full Definition of INUNDATE
transitive verb
1
: to cover with a flood : overflow
2
: overwhelm <was inundated with phone calls>
— in·un·da·tion \ˌi-(ˌ)nən-ˈdā-shən\ noun
— in·un·da·tor \ˈi-(ˌ)nən-ˌdā-tər\ noun
— in·un·da·to·ry \i-ˈnən-də-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
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Origin of INUNDATE
Latin inundatus, past participle of inundare, from in- + unda wave — more at water
Related to INUNDATE
Rhymes with INUNDATE
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INUNDATE Defined for Kids
inundate
verb in·un·date \ˈin-ən-ˌdāt\
in·un·dat·edin·un·dat·ing
Definition of INUNDATE for Kids
: to cover with or as if with a flood <I'm inundated by mail.>
Word Root of INUNDATE
The Latin word unda, meaning “wave,” gives us the root und. Words from the Latin unda have something to do with waves. To undulate is to move up and down like a wave. To inundate is to cover with a flood of waves. To surround, or encircle on all sides, is to enclose as if by waves. To abound is to be plentiful, like waves in the ocean.
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