Word
thud
US/ˈθəd/
UK/θˈʌd/
Definitions
01a dull sound
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the low, heavy sound made when a heavy object hits something soft or thick.
n. a dull, heavy sound produced by a non-resonant impact, such as a heavy object falling onto a carpeted floor.
“The heavy book fell off the shelf and hit the floor with a loud thud.”
“The silence of the library was suddenly interrupted by the heavy thud of a falling volume, causing several patrons to look up in surprise.”
02military aircraft
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun American English · Slang · Archaic
n. a nickname for a specific American fighter jet used in the Vietnam War.
n. A specific nickname for the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, a supersonic fighter-bomber used extensively by the United States Air Force.
“The veteran pilot told stories about flying the Thud during his service years.”
“Aviation historians often discuss the high loss rates of the Thud during the early years of the conflict in Southeast Asia.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Within about 10 minutes, the loud thuds of strikes followed, one after another, though it was unclear where they landed.” “His next film, Magazine Dreams, a bodybuilding feature that was touted as Oscar bait, landed with a thud.” Etymology
From Middle English thudden (“to strike with a weapon”), from Old English þyddan (“to strike, press, thrust”), from Proto-Germanic þuddijaną, þiudijaną (“to strike, thrust”), from Proto-Germanic þūhaną, þeuhaną (“to press”), from Proto-Indo-European *tūk- (“to beat”). Cognate with Old English þoddettan (“to strike, push, batter”), Old English þȳdan (“to strike, stab, thrust, press”), Old English þēowan (“to press”), Albanian thundër (“a hoof, talon, a shaft", figuratively, "oppression, torment”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. thud and blunder
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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