thunderbolt
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.”
How to use thunderbolt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lightning strike with thunder — or, figuratively, a sudden shock or surprise.
Also the name of Apple's Thunderbolt connector, unrelated to the weather sense.
Word forms
thunderbolted past tense, thunderbolts plural, thunderbolts singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ split the old oak tree in half.
Etymology
From thunder + bolt.
Synonyms
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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.