thud

[thuhd]

noun

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

2. a blow causing such a sound.

verb (used without object)

thudded, thudding 

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

thud

/ 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

verb

1. to make or cause to make such a sound

Other Word Forms

• thuddingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of thud¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of thud¹

Old English thyddan to strike; related to thoddettan to beat, perhaps of imitative origin

Example Sentences

She faints, her body making a thud as she hits the ground.

Read more on Literature

When the girls sat down, they did so all at once, and landed on the benches with a unified thud.

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Soon the rhythmic thud of hoofbeats on earth alerted them that another carriage approached.

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Now she heard the sharp clack-clack of billiard cues, then the muffled thud as the ball hit the felted rim of the table and ricocheted into the pocket.

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It's followed immediately by the rattle of anti-aircraft fire, the distant thud of explosions, then finally the ominous klaxon call of ambulance and fire sirens.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bang 
• thump