Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense thunders, present participle thundering, past tense, past participle thundered
1. uncountable noun
Thunder is the loud noise that you hear from the sky after a flash of lightning, especially during a storm.
There was frequent thunder and lightning, and torrential rain.
...a distant clap of thunder.
Synonyms: thunderclap, roll of thunder, thunder crack, peal of thunder More Synonyms of thunder
2. verb
When itthunders, a loud noise comes from the sky after a flash of lightning.
The day was heavy and still. It would probably thunder later. [VERB]
3. uncountable noun
The thunder of something that is moving or making a sound is the loud deep noise it makes.
The thunder of the sea on the rocks seemed to blank out other thoughts. [+ of]
Khalil heard the thunder of an avalanche.
Synonyms: rumble, crash, crashing, boom More Synonyms of thunder
4. verb
If something or someone thunders somewhere, they move there quickly and with a lot of noise.
The horses thundered across the valley floor. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Niccolini was thundering up the stairs, taking them two at a time. [VERB preposition/adverb]
A lorry thundered by. [VERB preposition/adverb]
5. verb
If something thunders, it makes a very loud noise, usually continuously.
She heard the sound of the guns thundering in the fog. [VERB]
...thundering applause. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: rumble, crash, blast, boom More Synonyms of thunder
6. verb
If you thunder something, you say it loudly and forcefully, especially because you are angry.
[written]
'It's your money. Ask for it!' she thundered. [VERB with quote]
The Prosecutor looked toward Napoleon, waiting for him to thunder an objection. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: shout, roar, yell, bark More Synonyms of thunder
7.
See to steal someone's thunder
More Synonyms of thunder
thunder in British English
(ˈθʌndə)
noun
1.
a loud cracking or deep rumbling noise caused by the rapid expansion of atmospheric gases which are suddenly heated by lightning
2.
any loud booming sound
3. rare
a violent threat or denunciation
4. steal someone's thunder
verb
5.
to make (a loud sound) or utter (words) in a manner suggesting thunder
6. (intr; with it as subject)
to be the case that thunder is being heard
7. (intransitive)
to move fast and heavily
the bus thundered downhill
8. (intransitive)
to utter vehement threats or denunciation; rail
Derived forms
thunderer (ˈthunderer)
noun
thundery (ˈthundery)
adjective
Word origin
Old English thunor; related to Old Saxon thunar, Old High German donar, Old Norse thōrr; see Thor, Thursday
thunder in American English
(ˈθʌndər)
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
verb intransitive
5.
to produce thunder
usually in the impersonal construction [it is thundering]
6.
to make, or move with, a sound like thunder
7.
to make vehement speeches, denunciations, etc.
verb transitive
8.
to say in a thundering voice
9.
to strike, drive, etc. with the sound or violence of thunder
Idioms:
steal someone's thunder
Derived forms
thunderer (ˈthunderer)
noun
Word origin
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
More idioms containing
thunder
have a face like thunder
blood and thunder
steal someone's thunder
Examples of 'thunder' in a sentence
thunder
There was thunder and lightning and it was freezing cold.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was so full of thunder and lightning.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The sunshine of the past few days will be replaced by heavy showers and thunder.
The Sun (2010)
The low grumbling of thunder sounded joyfully in our ears.
Eric Newby A BOOK OF LANDS AND PEOPLES (2003)
The crowd roars its approval with thundering applause and a standing ovation.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There was thunder too and lightning and in places rain.
Len Deighton Bomber
But dark clouds coming in from the sea and the crackle of distant thunder forced a postponement.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It sounded like thunder in the distance.
The Sun (2016)
And she deserves the thundering applause of the audience.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
He did predict a little rain and thunder but maintained it would be over before the match kicks off.
The Sun (2012)
The sound of the thunder and the image and physical sensation of the cat fused together in her mind.
Austin, Valerie Self-Hypnosis (1994)
It's also as loud as thunder.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The elements played a part with the rain hammering down, lightning flashing and thunder cracking.
The Sun (2008)
It represented one continued clap of thunder '.
Hugh Bicheno REBELS AND REDCOATS: The American Revolutionary War (2003)
Sept 9 … heavy rain with thunder.
Christianity Today (2000)
Thunder and rain is forecast for tomorrow, giving hope to the champions.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
When it was over, the applause thundered around him.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Most people will be aware that you can gauge how far away a storm is by counting the time lag between flash and thunder.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I pinged the last and then heard the thunder of hooves behind me.
The Sun (2013)
A loud rumbling noise like thunder was heard in the early hours of the night.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Sometimes they sound like distant thunder, and sometimes like the noises you hear in the mountain from those horrid miners underneath.
George MacDonald The Princess and the Goblin (1872)
The outlook for the rest of this week is for more bouts of thunder and heavy rain, with interludes of sunshine.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
A clap of thunder echoes around the sky and an icy, howling wind picks up.
The Sun (2015)
You have a significant part to play in your own career success, so don't let anyone else steal your thunder.
The Sun (2015)
A clap of thunder, a flash of lightning over the Rhine.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Word lists with
thunder
Weather phenomena
In other languages
thunder
British English: thunder /ˈθʌndə/ NOUN
Thunder is the loud noise that you hear from the sky after a flash of lightning, especially during a storm.
There was frequent thunder and lightning, and torrential rain.
American English: thunder
Arabic: رَعْد
Brazilian Portuguese: trovão
Chinese: 雷
Croatian: grom
Czech: hrom
Danish: torden
Dutch: donder
European Spanish: trueno
Finnish: ukkonen
French: tonnerre
German: Donner
Greek: βροντή
Italian: tuono
Japanese: 雷鳴
Korean: 천둥
Norwegian: torden
Polish: grzmot
European Portuguese: trovão
Romanian: tunet
Russian: гром
Latin American Spanish: trueno
Swedish: åska
Thai: เสียงฟ้าร้อง
Turkish: gök gürültüsü
Ukrainian: грім
Vietnamese: sấm
British English: thunder VERB
When it thunders, a loud noise comes from the sky after a flash of lightning.
The day was heavy and still. It would probably thunder later.
American English: thunder
Brazilian Portuguese: trovejar
Chinese: 打雷
European Spanish: tronar
French: tonner
German: donnern
Italian: tuonare
Japanese: 雷が鳴る
Korean: 천둥 치다
European Portuguese: trovejar
Latin American Spanish: tronar
All related terms of 'thunder'
Thunder Bay
a port in central Canada , in Ontario on Lake Superior : formed in 1970 by the amalgamation of Fort William and Port Arthur ; the head of the St Lawrence Seaway for Canada. Pop: 103 215 (2001)
thunder egg
a small, round, hollow stone of opal , agate , etc., lined with crystals
thunder sheet
a large sheet of metal that can be shaken to produce a noise resembling thunder as a sound effect for a theatrical production
blood-and-thunder
A blood and thunder performer or performance is very loud and emotional .
steal someone's thunder
to stop someone from getting attention or praise by doing something better than them or doing something before them
have a face like thunder
to look extremely angry
to steal someone's thunder
If you steal someone's thunder , you get the attention or praise that they thought they would get, usually by saying or doing what they had intended to say or do.