noun

thunder

THUHN-duh

noun

The deep rumbling or cracking sound that follows a lightning bolt, caused by rapidly heated air expanding.

"A flash lit up the sky, and thunder followed a few seconds later."

"The thunder was so loud it rattled the windows."

verb

To make a loud rumbling sound, or to move, speak, or act with a force resembling thunder.

"Trucks thundered past on the motorway all night."

"The coach thundered at the referee over the decision."

How to Use Thunder

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe booming sound that comes with a lightning storm — or, as a verb, to make a similarly loud, powerful noise or move forcefully.

Common pairings

a clap of thunder thunder and lightning thunder past

Word Forms

thundered past tense, thunders plural, thunder plural, thundered plural, thunders singular, thunder singular, thundered singular, thunderest singular, thunderedst singular, thundereth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

A flash lit up the sky, and _____ followed a few seconds later.

Etymology

From Old English þunor ("thunder"), the same root that gives us the Norse god Thor and the German word Donner.

Rhymes for thunder

under sunder dunder launder founder plunder blunder asunder sounder rounder pounder flounder

See all rhymes for thunder →