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

I stood staring at the tiny unmoving form with my heart thudding strangely against my ribs.

From Literature

Just the crackle of the fire and the thud of his heart.

From Literature

Ba dropped his suitcases and they thudded against the floorboards.

From Literature

My heart skips a beat, and then lands with a dull thud in my chest.

From Literature

The discrepancy makes for a uniquely unnerving experience, especially in a theater with a decent sound system, where every unexpected thud can feel like it’s creeping in closer and closer.

From Salon

Related Words

• bang
• thump