Overflow vs Flood - What's the Difference?

Flood

Overflow

Definitions

Definition as Noun
  • the occurrence of incoming water (between a low tide and the following high tide)
  • light that is a source of artificial illumination having a broad beam; used in photography
  • the act of flooding; filling to overflowing
  • the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
  • an overwhelming number or amount
  • a large flow
Definition as Noun
  • a large flow
  • the occurrence of surplus liquid (as water) exceeding the limit or capacity
Definition as Verb
  • cover with liquid, usually water
  • become filled to overflowing
  • fill quickly beyond capacity; as with a liquid
  • supply with an excess of
Definition as Verb
  • overflow with a certain feeling
  • flow or run over (a limit or brim)

Examples

  • "a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune" -Shakespeare
  • "plains fertilized by annual inundations"
  • "a flood of requests"; "a torrent of abuse"
  • "The swollen river flooded the village"; "The broken vein had flooded blood in her eyes"
  • "Our basement flooded during the heavy rains"
  • "the basement was inundated after the storm"; "The images flooded his mind"
  • "flood the market with tennis shoes"; "Glut the country with cheap imports from the Orient"
  • "The children bubbled over with joy"; "My boss was bubbling over with anger"

Parts of Speech

Noun, Verb
Noun, Verb