thundercloud

C1 Topic:Weather & Climate

US /ˈθʌn.dərˌklaʊd/ UK /ˈθʌn.də.klaʊd/ See IPA manual

Freq #109545

Meanings

1

noun
a large dark cloud, usually a cumulonimbus, that produces thunder and lightning

By noon a wall of thundercloud covered half the sky.
2

noun
figurative: a threatening or gloomy presence

The unresolved dispute hung over the meeting like a thundercloud.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a large dark cloud, usually... storm cloudcumulonimbus

2 noun · figurative: a threatening... threat gloom

Opposites

clear sky

Word family

Forms thunderclouds

Related forms thunderstorm lightning

Etymology

A compound of thunder and cloud, naming the electrically charged storm cloud from which thunder is heard.

Topics

Weather & Climate

External links

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