thunder Hear it!

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thunder definition

thun·der (t̸hun′dər)

noun

  1. the sound that follows a flash of lightning, caused by the sudden heating and expansion of air by electrical discharge
  2. any loud, rumbling sound like this
  3. a threatening, menacing, or extremely vehement utterance
  4. Archaic a thunderbolt
Also thunderation thun′·der·a′·tion

Etymology: ME thuner, thunder (with unhistoric -d-) < OE thunor, akin to Ger donner < IE base *(s)ten-, loud rustling, deep noise > ON Thorr, Thor, Gr stenein, to moan, L tonare, to thunder

intransitive verb

  1. to produce thunder: usually in the impersonal construction [it is thundering]
  2. to make, or move with, a sound like thunder
  3. to make vehement speeches, denunciations, etc.

transitive verb

  1. to say in a thundering voice
  2. to strike, drive, etc. with the sound or violence of thunder

Related Forms:

thunder Idioms

steal someone's thunder

  1. to use someone's ideas or methods without permission and without giving credit
  2. to lessen the effectiveness of someone's statement or action by using or doing it before that person

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms thunder idiom

thunder Synonyms

thunder

n.

crash, peal, outburst, explosion, boom, booming, roar, rumble, clap, crack, discharge, thunderbolt, uproar, blast; see also noise 1.


thunder

v.

peal, boom, rumble, resound, reverberate, roll, deafen, crash, clamor, clash; see also roar, sound 1, storm.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

thunder Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • rumble: I spoke too soon, as I'm writing this the heaven's have opened and there's some rumbling thunder and sheet lightening.

Converse of subject

  • accompany: An approaching electrical storm is normally accompanied by thunder, heavy rain, extra static in the air.

Adjective modifier

  • distant: He can hear the roar of a mob outside, hear the distant thunder of an explosion.

Modifies a noun

  • storm: We managed to miss the thunder storm, only getting a very brief shower.

Modifying Another Word

  • forth: His voice thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • along: The reporter waxed lyrical; " At morning and evening you may hear and see train wagons thundering along through these handsome sheds.

Preposition: of

  • hoof: Suddenly, out of the silence, she heard the thunder of distant hoof beats coming toward her.
thunder usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

thunder quotes

He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha, and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

-Bible (Old Testament)

   Damn them, see how the rascals use me! They will not let my play run, and yet they steal my thunder!

-Dennis,John

There was silence in the room. Then a voice, stunning as thunder, clear and common as a trainwhistleöthe voice of a ball-park announcer: 'If you build it, he will come.'

-Kinsella,W(illiam) P(atrick)

thunder quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"thunder." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/thunder>

APA Style

thunder. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/thunder

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