THUNDERCLAP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does thunderclap mean? 

• THUNDERCLAP (noun)
  The noun THUNDERCLAP has 2 senses:

1. a single sharp crash of thunder

2. a shocking surprise

  Familiarity information: THUNDERCLAP used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• THUNDERCLAP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A single sharp crash of thunder

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("thunderclap" is a kind of...):

thunder (a booming or crashing noise caused by air expanding along the path of a bolt of lightning)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A shocking surprise

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

bombshell; thunderbolt; thunderclap

Context example:

news of the attack came like a bombshell

Hypernyms ("thunderclap" is a kind of...):

surprise (a sudden unexpected event)

 Context examples 

“Here’s Crab Wilson!” cried Belcher, and at the same moment a shout like a thunderclap burst from the crowd.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The captain broke loose upon the dead man like a thunderclap.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Then, amid a long-drawn breath from the spectators, the glove fell from the marshal's hand, and the two steel-clad horsemen met like a thunderclap in front of the royal stand.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I had quite forgotten the existence of Leach and Johnson, when suddenly, like a thunderclap, “Boat ho!” came down the open companion-way.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

His cry was a signal, for, like a thunderclap, there came a hundred hoarse voices shouting together: “Fair play for Gloucester! Break the ring! Break the ring!”

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)