TOP

Definition of thunder noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    thunder

     noun
    noun
    NAmE//ˈθʌndər//
     
    [uncountable]
     
    jump to other results
  1. 1the loud noise that you hear after a flash of lightning, during a storm the rumble of distant thunder a clap/crash/roll of thunder Thunder crashed in the sky. Topic CollocationsThe Weathergood weather
    • be bathed in/bask in/be blessed with/enjoy bright/brilliant/glorious sunshine
    • the sun shines/warms something/beats down (on something)
    • the sunshine breaks/streams through something
    • fluffy/wispy clouds drift across the sky
    • a gentle/light/stiff/cool/warm breeze blows in/comes in off the sea
    • the snow crunches beneath/under somebody's feet/boots
    bad weather
    • thick/dark/storm clouds form/gather/roll in/cover the sky/block out the sun
    • the sky darkens/turns black
    • a fine mist hangs in the air
    • a dense/heavy/thick fog rolls in
    • the rain falls/comes down (in buckets/sheets)/pours down
    • snow falls/comes down/covers something/blankets something
    • the wind blows/whistles/howls/picks up/whips through something/sweeps across something
    • strong/gale-force winds blow/gust (up to 80 mph)
    • a storm is approaching/is moving inland/hits/strikes/rages
    • thunder rolls/rumbles/sounds
    • (forked/sheet) lightning strikes/hits/flashes
    • a (blinding/snow) blizzard hits/strikes/blows/rages
    • a tornado touches down/hits/strikes/destroys something/rips through something
    • forecast/expect/predict rain/snow/a category-four hurricane
    • rain pours (down)
    • get caught in/seek shelter from/escape the rain
    • be covered/shrouded in mist/a blanket of fog
    • be in for/brave/shelter from a/the storm
    • hear rolling/distant thunder
    • be battered/buffeted by strong winds
    • battle against/brave the elements
    the weather improves
    • the sun breaks through the clouds
    • the sky clears/brightens (up)/lightens (up)
    • the clouds part/clear
    • the rain stops/lets up/holds off
    • the wind dies down
    • the storm passes
    • the mist/fog lifts/clears
  2. 2a loud noise like thunder the thunder of hooves
    3. Idioms
    steal somebody's thunder
     
    jump to other results
    to get the attention, success, etc. that someone else was expecting, usually by saying or doing what they had intended to say or do
See thunder in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: thunder

Nearby words