noun
thunderbolt
THUHN-duh-bohlt
Thunderbolt (noun) means a flash of lightning together with the crash of thunder that comes with it. Example: “A thunderbolt split the old oak tree in half.”
noun
1
A flash of lightning together with the crash of thunder that comes with it.
"A thunderbolt split the old oak tree in half."
"The news hit her like a thunderbolt."
2
A shocking or completely unexpected event.
"His resignation came as a thunderbolt to the whole office."
How to use thunderbolt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lightning strike with thunder — or, figuratively, a sudden shock or surprise.
Common mistake
Also the name of Apple's Thunderbolt connector, unrelated to the weather sense.
Common pairings
like a thunderbolt
a thunderbolt of news
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Word forms
- Plural
- thunderbolts
- Third person singular
- thunderbolts
- Past tense
- thunderbolted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ split the old oak tree in half.
Etymology
From thunder + bolt.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “thunderbolt” mean?
The word “thunderbolt” means a flash of lightning together with the crash of thunder that comes with it. In plain terms, a lightning strike with thunder — or, figuratively, a sudden shock or surprise.
How do you pronounce “thunderbolt”?
“Thunderbolt” is pronounced THUHN-duh-bohlt (/ˈθʌndə(ɹ)ˌboʊlt/ in IPA).
How do you use “thunderbolt” in a sentence?
Here is “thunderbolt” used in a sentence: “A thunderbolt split the old oak tree in half.”
What part of speech is “thunderbolt”?
“Thunderbolt” is a noun.
How many meanings does “thunderbolt” have?
“Thunderbolt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flash of lightning together with the crash of thunder that comes with it.
