Word
thunderbolt
Phoneticsthun·der·bolt, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈθəndɝˌbɔɫt/
UK/θˈʌndəbˌəʊlt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a flash of lightning and the loud sound of thunder that happen at the same time. It can also describe a sudden, shocking event that changes everything.
n. a single discharge of lightning with its accompanying crash of thunder. Often used figuratively to describe a sudden and overwhelming event or piece of news.
Examples
“The old oak tree was split in half by a thunderbolt.”
“The news of the company's sudden closure hit the employees like a thunderbolt on a Monday morning.”
“In ancient mythology, the thunderbolt was often depicted as a physical weapon wielded by gods to demonstrate their absolute power over the natural and mortal worlds.”
Examples
simple
“The old oak tree was split in half by a thunderbolt.”
contextual
“The news of the company's sudden closure hit the employees like a thunderbolt on a Monday morning.”
complex
“In ancient mythology, the thunderbolt was often depicted as a physical weapon wielded by gods to demonstrate their absolute power over the natural and mortal worlds.”
Etymology
From thunder + bolt.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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