thunder
Thunder is the loud, crashing sound that follows a flash of lightning during a storm. It happens because lightning heats the air very quickly, causing it to expand and create a sound wave.
Examples
3 of 5The loud thunder woke me up in the middle of the night.
The loud thunder woke me up in the middle of the night.
The meteorological report indicated heavy thunder and lightning in the coastal regions.
The meteorological report indicated heavy thunder and lightning in the coastal regions.
Whoa, did you hear that huge crack of thunder?
Whoa, did you hear that huge crack of thunder?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Th' in Thunder and 'Thor'. Thor is the God of Thunder who makes a loud noise with his hammer.
Quick Quiz
We saw the bright flash of lightning, and a few seconds later, we heard the _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: thunder
Examples
The loud thunder woke me up in the middle of the night.
everydayThe loud thunder woke me up in the middle of the night.
The meteorological report indicated heavy thunder and lightning in the coastal regions.
formalThe meteorological report indicated heavy thunder and lightning in the coastal regions.
Whoa, did you hear that huge crack of thunder?
informalWhoa, did you hear that huge crack of thunder?
Thunder occurs because lightning heating the air creates a shock wave.
academicThunder occurs because lightning heating the air creates a shock wave.
The outdoor company event was cancelled due to the risk of thunder and storms.
businessThe outdoor company event was cancelled due to the risk of thunder and storms.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
steal someone's thunder
to take attention or praise away from someone else's achievements
face like thunder
to look extremely angry
blood and thunder
full of noise, energy, and strong emotion
Often Confused With
Lightning is the visual flash of light, while thunder is the audible sound that follows it.
Usage Notes
Thunder is primarily an uncountable noun when talking about the sound in general. To count it, use phrases like 'a clap of thunder' or 'a bolt of thunder'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'thunder' to mean the flash of light, but you must use 'lightning' for the light and 'thunder' for the noise.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Th' in Thunder and 'Thor'. Thor is the God of Thunder who makes a loud noise with his hammer.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English word 'thunor', which is related to the name of the Germanic god Thor.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many ancient cultures and mythologies, thunder was believed to be the voice or weapon of powerful deities like Zeus or Thor.
Quick Quiz
We saw the bright flash of lightning, and a few seconds later, we heard the _____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: thunder
Related Vocabulary
A storm is an occurrence of bad weather characterized by str...
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rainRain is water that falls from clouds in the sky in small dro...
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More Weather words
windy
A1Windy is an adjective used to describe weather conditions where there is a lot of strong, moving air. It characterizes a day or a place where the wind is blowing harder than usual, often making it feel colder or causing objects to move.
foggy
A1Foggy is an adjective used to describe weather where there is a thick cloud of tiny water droplets near the ground. It makes it very difficult to see things that are far away or even close by.
stormy
A1Describes weather that is characterized by strong winds, heavy rain, and often thunder or lightning. It can also refer to a situation or relationship marked by strong conflict or angry arguments.
overcast
A1An overcast is a condition where the entire sky is covered with clouds and no sun can be seen. It describes a grey and dull sky that often happens before rain or during cold days.
cool
A1Describes a temperature that is moderately cold, typically in a way that is pleasant or refreshing. It is used to describe weather that is neither hot nor very cold, often requiring a light jacket.
freezing
A1Freezing refers to the temperature at which water turns into ice, which is 0°C or 32°F. It describes the process or the state of the weather when it is cold enough for liquid to become solid.
humid
A1Humid describes air that feels wet, damp, and sticky because it contains a lot of water vapor. It is often used to describe hot weather that makes you feel sweaty.
wet
A1Describes something that is covered in or full of water or another liquid. In the context of weather, it refers to a day or period when it is raining.
mild
A1Mild describes weather that is warmer than usual for a specific time of year, especially in winter or autumn. It means the temperature is moderate and pleasant, rather than being very cold or freezing.
rain
A1Rain is water that falls from clouds in the sky in small drops. It is a natural weather event that provides water for plants and fills rivers and lakes.
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