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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Thunder Definition, Usage & Common Phrases (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：rumbling sound from a storm (thunder)

thunder 🔊

/ˈθʌndər/

The loud rumbling or crashing noise you hear in the sky after lightning.

Thunder explained: A dramatic illustration of a lightning storm showing the sound waves of thunder.

rumbling sound from a storm 🔊

➕

/ˈrʌmblɪŋ saʊnd frəm ə stɔrm/

A loud, explosive noise produced by the rapid expansion of air heated by a lightning discharge during a storm.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Primary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'thunor', related to Old Norse 'þórr' (Thor, the thunder god), from Proto-Indo-European *ten-.

💡 Mnemonic

Thursday sounds like Thor's day, and thunder is the sound Thor makes with his hammer.

📖 Example

When the thunder started, my little dog ran and hid under the bed. 🔊 As soon as the rumbling sound from the storm began, my small dog sprinted to take shelter beneath the bed.

🔗 Collocations

clap of thunder – a single, sudden loud sound of thunder

rumble of thunder – a long, low, continuous sound of thunder

thunderstorm – a storm with thunder and lightning

🔄 Synonyms

roar (n.) – a full, deep, prolonged sound, often of nature (like thunder or a lion)

boom (n.) – a deep, resonant, and often sudden sound

rumble (n.) – a continuous deep, resonant sound like distant thunder

🚫 Antonyms

silence (n.) – complete absence of sound

🌱 Derivatives

thunderous (adj.) – extremely loud, like thunder

thunderously (adv.) – in an extremely loud manner

📖 Cultural Story

In Old Norse mythology, thunder was attributed to Thor, the god of thunder, who wielded a hammer named Mjölnir. This connection is preserved in the English word "Thursday" (Thor's day). The word's lineage reflects ancient Indo-European observations of nature.

Meaning 2：deafening roar (thunder)

thunder 🔊

/ˈθʌndər/

A loud, continuous, rumbling noise that sounds like a real thunder.

Thunder as a metaphor: A photo of roaring race car engines representing a deafening thunder-like noise.

deafening roar 🔊

➕

/ˈdɛfənɪŋ rɔr/

Any loud, continuous, rumbling noise that resembles or is metaphorically compared to the sound of natural thunder.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The thunder of the crowd's cheering filled the stadium when the home team scored the winning goal. 🔊 The overwhelming roar created by the spectators' cheers completely enveloped the stadium at the moment the home team secured the decisive point.

🔗 Collocations

thunder of applause – a very loud and sustained round of clapping

thunderous roar – an overwhelmingly loud noise, like that of a crowd or engine

🔄 Synonyms

roar (n.) – a loud, deep sound made by a crowd, engine, or animal

clamor (n.) – a loud and confused noise, especially from many people

din (n.) – a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise

🚫 Antonyms

whisper (n.) – a soft or quiet sound made by speaking very quietly

murmur (n.) – a low, continuous, indistinct sound

🌱 Derivatives

thunderous (adj.) – extremely loud, like thunder

thunderously (adv.) – in an extremely loud manner