What does thunderous mean?
Thunderous describes a sound that is loud, deep, and forceful, like thunder, or figuratively an event or response so emphatic that it evokes the power of a storm. The most familiar use is “thunderous applause,” where the adjective intensifies the scale and enthusiasm of cheering without necessarily referring to audible thunder. Thunderous drums, roars, and cheering similarly suggest a combination of volume, resonance, and force. The word can be deliberately impressive or dramatic, giving it a somewhat literary quality, but it remains natural in journalism, sports reporting, and descriptions of large gatherings. It is also broader than “thundering”: while “thundering” can suggest a continuous rolling sound, “thunderous” often characterizes a scene, sound, or response as powerfully loud. Although its meaning is clear, the word is less neutral than “loud” and therefore adds atmosphere and emphasis.
adjectiveMaking a loud, deep, rumbling sound like thunder; figuratively, loud and powerful, as in thunderous applause.
- Making a loud, deep, rumbling sound like thunder.
- Figuratively, so loud, forceful, or emphatic that it evokes thunder.
"The crowd broke into thunderous applause when the champion entered the stadium."
"Thunderous drums announced the arrival of the procession."
"Her speech was followed by thunderous applause from the convention."
Thunderous compresses the force of a storm into a single sound: it can describe a roar, a cheer, or even applause.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of thunderous
English thunderous was formed from the noun thunder and the suffix -ous, meaning “characterized by” or “full of.” The noun thunder descends from Old English þunor. Related words in other Germanic languages include German Donner and Dutch donder, reflecting the same widespread word for the sound accompanying lightning.
Related word forms
How thunderous is actually used
The word is most often encountered in literary, descriptive, or emphatic contexts. It is especially conventional before words such as “applause,” “cheering,” and “roar,” and it may suggest both great volume and impressive force.
Easily confused with thunderous
Thunder is the sound itself, whereas thunderous is an adjective describing something that resembles or is loud and powerful like thunder.