WordGarden.iothump
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /θˈʌmp/
US
- /ˈθəmp/
Meanings
Verb
to hit or beat with heavy force
to beat hard and fast, especially of the heart
to make or play a heavy pulsing beat, especially in music
More meaningsFewer meanings
(informal)to defeat decisively, especially in a game or contest
Noun
a dull heavy blow or the sound it makes
Beyond the definition
A thump isn't a delicate tap. It's a solid, heavy hit that makes a dull, deep sound. Think of the noise your backpack makes when you drop it on the floor, or the feeling in your chest when your heart beats fast after a long run.
You can thump something with your hand, like a watermelon to see if it's ripe, and things can thump on their own, like a distant drumbeat or a nervous heartbeat. A classic example is the way a rabbit thumps its foot as a warning signal. The word suggests weight, force, and often a sense of urgency.
The word "thump" describes both a specific sound and the physical action that creates it. It is a dull, heavy impact, not sharp like a crack or a ping, but solid and deep. Imagine dropping a thick stack of books onto a carpeted floor; that heavy, low sound is a classic thump.
As a noun, a thump refers to the sound itself: "She heard a loud thump from the room upstairs." As a verb, it means to hit something with heavy, dull force: "He thumped the table in frustration." It is also often used for a rhythmic beating, especially with the heart: "Her heart began to thump wildly in her chest as she stepped onto the stage."
The context of the word often implies a sense of clumsiness, intensity, or raw power. While a gentle touch would never be called a thump, something falling heavily or someone striking a surface with conviction certainly would. It can also carry a sense of alarm, such as when an animal thumps the ground to signal danger to its peers.
Think of the story of The Three Little Pigs. In a more dramatic telling, the Big Bad Wolf doesn't just knock on their doors; he thumps! This choice of words suggests power and intent, hinting at the force behind his arrival. Whether it refers to a sound, a physical strike, or a pounding heartbeat, "thump" is all about weight, resonance, and impact.
Examples
- 1
Falling object
The box slipped off the shelf and thumped onto the floor.
- 2
Tired movement
He dropped into the chair with a tired thump.
- 3
Nervous heartbeat
My heart was thumping while I waited for the interview to start.
- 4
Loud music
We could hear dance music thumping from the apartment upstairs.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Quick hit
Dad gave the side of the old TV a thump, and the picture came back.
- Patterngive something a thump
hit it once, usually quite hard
- 6
Friendly gesture
She thumped me on the back after the race and said I had done well.
- Patternthump someone on the back
hit them with a flat hand, often in a friendly way
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- thumpnounverb
Forms
- thumping-ing formverbnoun
- thumpedpast tenseverbnoun
- thumpspluralnounverb