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

There were gasps from the crowd as the ball either thudded into a Glamorgan batter or the gloves of Kent keeper Steve Marsh.

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No iPhone glows disturbed the darkness, just snores and the thud of wheels, the occasional whoosh of a passing train tilting us to one side.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.

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For Liverpool, this was a return to earth with a resounding thud after their recent upturn.

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In “1984,” Big Brother survives by wielding absolute power; freedom is flattened by the thudding steps of a goose-stepping soldier and by language that makes those steps seem necessary.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bang 
• thump