thunder
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for thunder, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The deep rumbling or cracking sound that follows a lightning bolt, caused by rapidly heated air expanding.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use thunder
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English þunor ("thunder"), the same root that gives us the Norse god Thor and the German word Donner.
Full origin of thunder →Frequently asked questions
What does “thunder” mean?
The word “thunder” means the deep rumbling or cracking sound that follows a lightning bolt, caused by rapidly heated air expanding. In plain terms, the booming sound that comes with a lightning storm — or, as a verb, to make a similarly loud, powerful noise or move forcefully.
How do you pronounce “thunder”?
“Thunder” is pronounced THUHN-duh (/ˈθʌndɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “thunder” in a sentence?
Here is “thunder” used in a sentence: “A flash lit up the sky, and thunder followed a few seconds later.”
What part of speech is “thunder”?
Depending on how it is used, “thunder” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “thunder” come from?
The word “thunder” comes from Old English. From Old English þunor ("thunder"), the same root that gives us the Norse god Thor and the German word Donner.
Is “thunder” a common word?
“Thunder” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “thunder” have?
“Thunder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the deep rumbling or cracking sound that follows a lightning bolt, caused by rapidly heated air expanding.
What is the difference between thunder and lightning?
Lightning is the bright electrical flash you see during a storm. Thunder is the deep rumbling or cracking sound that follows, produced as the air heated by the lightning bolt expands rapidly.
Why does thunder come after lightning?
Both are created at the same moment, but light travels much faster than sound. You see the lightning flash almost instantly, then hear the thunder a few seconds later because the sound takes longer to reach you.
Can 'thunder' be used figuratively?
Yes. As a verb, "thunder" can describe moving, speaking, or acting with great force, as in "the train thundered past" or "he thundered at the crowd." It transfers the loud, powerful quality of a storm to human or mechanical action.
What is the difference between thunder and a thunderclap?
"Thunder" is the general sound produced after lightning, which can roll on as a long rumble. A "thunderclap" is a single sudden, sharp burst of that sound rather than a drawn-out rumble.