thud

American  

[thuhd] / θʌd /

noun

1. a dull sound, as of a heavy blow or fall.

2. a blow causing such a sound.

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verb (used without object)

thudded, thudding

1. to strike or fall with a dull sound of heavy impact.

thud British  

/ θʌd /

noun

1. a dull heavy sound

   the book fell to the ground with a thud

2. a blow or fall that causes such a sound

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verb

1. to make or cause to make such a sound

Other Word Forms

• thuddingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of thud

1505–15; imitative; compare Middle English thudden, Old English thyddan to strike, press

Example Sentences

The creature was bewildered, and half flew and half plummeted downward, not close enough to the sail, landing with a thud on the wood of the boat.

From Literature

It hits the bottom of the hole with an audible thud.

From Literature

Two giants stare each other down before colliding with a dull thud.

From Barron's

The girl unzips her lunch box and pulls out something wrapped in waxed paper that lands with a thud in front of me.

From Literature

The car hit a bump and the kid’s backpack slid off the seat with a thud.

From Literature

Related Words

• bang
• thump