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thunderous
/ˈθʌn.dər.əs/
extremely loud or powerful
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause after the performance.
The applause was extremely loud and powerful, showing strong approval.
literary
Making a very loud or deep sound, like thunder.
The thunderous roar of the waterfall could be heard for miles.
The sound of the waterfall was so loud it could be heard from a great distance.
The speaker's thunderous voice filled the auditorium.
The speaker's voice was extremely loud and powerful, reaching every corner of the room.
Often used metaphorically to describe intense emotions or reactions, such as applause, cheering, or silence.
Collocations
thunderous applausevery loud and enthusiastic clappingthunderous silencean extremely quiet atmosphere that feels heavy with emotionthunderous voicea very loud and powerful voice
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'thunderous'
While 'thunderous' is vivid, it can sound dramatic or hyperbolic if used too frequently. Reserve it for moments when the sound or reaction is truly overwhelming.
Gold Rule
Use 'thunderous' for impactful sounds or reactions
Reserve this word for situations where the sound or reaction is genuinely loud, powerful, or emotionally intense. It works well in both literal and figurative contexts.
Word Origin
From Old English 'thunor' (thunder) + '-ous' (suffix meaning 'full of' or 'having the quality of'). The suffix '-ous' comes from Latin '-osus', used to form adjectives from nouns.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally describes sounds resembling thunder, while figuratively it can describe overwhelming emotions or reactions.
Word Breakdown
thunder
a loud rumbling or crashing noise heard after a lightning flash
root-ous
a suffix meaning 'full of' or 'having the quality of'
suffixEnglish Dictionary