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thunder

n. · v.
US //ˈθəndɝ// UK //θˈʌndɐ// thun·der
  1. 1 sound from lightning (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the loud noise that follows a flash of lightning during a storm.

    the loud rumbling or crashing sound caused by the rapid expansion of air heated by a lightning bolt.

    Example

    The children hid under the blankets when they heard the loud thunder outside.

    Example

    A sudden crack of thunder shook the windows, followed immediately by a torrential downpour that flooded the garden paths.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun, but 'a clap of thunder' or 'a crack of thunder' is used for a single sound.
  2. 2 a deep rumbling noise (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    a deep, heavy sound that reminds you of a storm.

    a deep, resonant, and continuous sound resembling atmospheric thunder.

    Example

    We could hear the thunder of the waterfall long before we saw it.

    Example

    The distant thunder of heavy machinery signaled that the construction crew had begun clearing the site for the new stadium.
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  1. 3 the weather (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    when the sky makes a loud noise during a storm.

    to produce the sound of thunder during a meteorological event; used impersonally with 'it'.

    Example

    It started to thunder just as we were finishing our picnic in the park.

    Example

    The sky grew dark and it began to thunder, forcing the referee to suspend the match for the safety of the players.
  2. 4 to move loudly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to move very fast while making a loud, heavy noise.

    to move with great speed and resonance, typically creating a heavy vibration.

    Example

    The express train thundered through the small station without stopping.

    Example

    A herd of wild horses thundered across the plains, kicking up clouds of dust that obscured the horizon.
  3. 5 to speak loudly (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary Formal

    to shout something in a very loud, angry, or powerful voice.

    to utter something with a loud, forceful, or threatening tone.

    Example

    The judge thundered at the lawyer to sit down and be quiet.

    Example

    The preacher thundered his message from the pulpit, his voice echoing off the stone walls of the ancient cathedral.
Etymology 1

From Middle English thunder, thonder, thundre, thonre, thunnere, þunre, from Old English þunor (“thunder”), from Proto-West Germanic þunr, from Proto-Germanic þunraz, from Proto-Indo-European (s)ten-, (s)tenh₂- (“to thunder”). Compare astound, astonish, stun. Germanic cognates include West Frisian tonger, Dutch donder, German Donner, Old Norse Þórr (English Thor), Danish torden, Norwegian Nynorsk tore. Other cognates include Persian تندر (tondar), Latin tonō, detonō, Ancient Greek στένω (sténō), στενάζω (stenázō), στόνος (stónos), Στέντωρ (Sténtōr), Irish torann, Welsh taran, Gaulish Taranis. Doublet of donner, Thunor, and Thor.

Etymology 2

From Middle English thundren, from Old English þunrian (“to thunder”), from Proto-West Germanic þunrōn, from Proto-Germanic þunrōną (“to thunder”).

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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