noun
B1
Intermediate
thump
thuhmp
Thump (noun) means a heavy blow, or the dull sound it makes. Example: “He gave the door a thump to get their attention.”
noun
1
A heavy blow, or the dull sound it makes.
"He gave the door a thump to get their attention."
"She heard a thump from the room next door."
verb
1
To hit something hard, producing a dull, heavy sound.
"He thumped the table in frustration."
How to use thump
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA heavy hit or bang, or to hit something that way.
Common pairings
thump the table
heart thumping
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Word forms
- Plural
- thumps
- Third person singular
- thumps
- Past tense
- thumped
Fill the gap
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He gave the door a _____ to get their attention.
Etymology
First recorded in the mid-1500s, likely imitative of the sound itself.
Class of 1500
thump joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Related words
Rhymes for thump
See all rhymes for thump →Frequently asked questions
What does “thump” mean?
The word “thump” means a heavy blow, or the dull sound it makes. In plain terms, a heavy hit or bang, or to hit something that way.
How do you pronounce “thump”?
“Thump” is pronounced thuhmp (/θʌmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “thump” in a sentence?
Here is “thump” used in a sentence: “He gave the door a thump to get their attention.”
What part of speech is “thump”?
Depending on how it is used, “thump” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “thump” come from?
The word “thump” dates back to around 1500. First recorded in the mid-1500s, likely imitative of the sound itself.
How many meanings does “thump” have?
“Thump” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy blow, or the dull sound it makes.
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