adjective
-
completely taken aback; amazed or shocked
-
rare struck by lightning
Etymology
Origin of thunderstruck
Explanation
When you’re thunderstruck, you’re dumbfounded by something. Only something very shocking can leave you thunderstruck. If you walk by a statue in the park and it starts talking to you, you’ll probably be thunderstruck. If you were struck by lightning, it would stop you in your tracks. That unlikely event is the inspiration for this word, which involves more of a shock to the mind. When you’re thunderstruck, you’re amazed and stunned. The news that you’re pregnant could leave you thunderstruck. An incredible news story could leave you thunderstruck. This is a strong word for when your mind is truly blown.
Vocabulary lists containing thunderstruck
Ungifted
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Landry News
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Out of My Heart
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
NJ Advance's Steve Politi offered a vivid account of how the July 29 LIV Golf event opened, with AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" blaring while three paratroopers landed "on a fairway nearby carrying a giant American flag."
From Salon • Aug. 2, 2022
AC/DC's Thunderstruck and Miley Cyrus's Party In The USA top the streaming charts for 1990 and 2009 respectively, even though they didn't trouble the top 20 at the time.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2019
Netflix previously experimented with multiple narratives in children's shows Puss in Books and Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile.
From BBC • Dec. 28, 2018
The question became how to map that format onto Buddy Thunderstruck, a stop-motion animated comedy aimed at boys 6 to 11 that he describes as “Dukes of Hazzard meets Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
From The Verge • Jun. 20, 2017
Thunderstruck, I sprang to my feet, and finally found tongue to ask how he had heard such news.
From Cardigan by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
