thunderstorm

USAGE SUMMARY

"thunderstorm" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to a storm characterized by thunder and lightning, or a figurative storm of great magnitude. For example, "The thunderstorm of criticism that followed the president's speech was immense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The National Weather Service issued tornado and thunderstorm watches for later on Tuesday and said more rain was expected this week in Texas and Oklahoma.

The Guardian

Wilford said all firefighters in the area were withdrawing as the thunderstorm approached.

The Guardian

The distance is about the same, and there seemed little point in risking being on an exposed hilltop at 1200' in a thunderstorm, especially as the reward would have been panoramic 360 degree views of the inside of a cloud.

The Guardian

When the dissidents spoke up against the extravagant ceremony – ominously held as a thunderstorm raged and turned the capital into a sea of mud – dozens of journalists and politicians were arrested and deported, and the "liberal" years were over.

The Guardian

I loved two new fiction books; The Man Who Rained by Ali Shaw (Atlantic Books), a surreal, yet real, love story set in rural America about an unusual girl who falls in love with a man who is half thunderstorm, and Various Pets Alive and Dead (Penguin) by Marina Lewycka, which concerns a 1980s leftwing commune in Yorkshire and what has happened to the characters since.

The Guardian - Books

It was so much fun, so mesmerising, that, come rush hour, I was still riding around, in a thunderstorm, soaked in a summer dress.

The Guardian - Travel

A thunderstorm produced winds as high as 35mph, causing extreme fire behavior.

The Guardian

THERE will be no thunderstorm, no bolts of lightning channelled through giant switchgear, and definitely no hunchbacks called Igor.

The Economist

In 1505 young Luther was so terrified by a thunderstorm that he vowed that he would join a monastic order if the forks of electricity avoided him.

The Economist

The problem is that, despite years of effort, researchers have never observed an electric field in a thunderstorm that is powerful enough to do this.

The Economist

After a few chapters, the reader is delighted to learn that there are four types of cirrus (intortus, radiatus, vertebratus and duplicatus).A pilot's account of a high-altitude parachute descent through a thunderstorm is gripping.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a "thunderstorm", use vivid verbs such as "raged", "struck", or "unleashed" to convey the storm's power.

Common error

Avoid overusing "thunderstorm" metaphorically for minor disagreements or situations. Reserve it for scenarios involving significant disruption or intense emotional turmoil to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "thunderstorm" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a specific type of weather event characterized by thunder and lightning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage, as demonstrated in numerous examples of the provided data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "thunderstorm" is a common noun that denotes a storm featuring thunder and lightning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and broadly applicable. It is primarily used in neutral contexts, especially in news and encyclopedic sources, where its function is to describe and inform. While it's a versatile term, writers should be mindful of its intensity and avoid misusing it in trivial scenarios. The related terms offer similar meanings, but choose carefully to match the exact context. Ludwig provides plentiful examples of correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

electrical storm

This is a synonym that emphasizes the electrical aspect of the storm, specifically lightning.

lightning storm

This alternative focuses on the lightning component of a thunderstorm.

thunder and lightning

This describes the two key elements of a thunderstorm separately.

violent storm

This highlights the intensity and potential danger associated with the weather event.

storm with thunder

This alternative phrases the definition of thunderstorm

severe storm

This is a more general term that can encompass thunderstorms, but also other types of intense weather.

tempest

This term is a more dramatic and literary way to refer to a severe storm, often implying strong winds.

rainstorm

This emphasizes the heavy rainfall often associated with thunderstorms.

downpour

This emphasizes the heavy rainfall associated with thunderstorms, potentially excluding the electrical aspect.

weather outburst

This phrase is a broader term and less specific than thunderstorm.

FAQs

How to use "thunderstorm" in a sentence?

You can use "thunderstorm" to describe a specific weather event, such as "The sudden "thunderstorm" disrupted the outdoor event", or to describe figurative scenarios like "A "thunderstorm" of criticism followed the policy announcement."

What can I say instead of "thunderstorm"?

You can use alternatives like "electrical storm", "severe storm", or "tempest", depending on the specific context and the aspect you wish to emphasize.

Which is correct, "thunderstorm" or "thundershower"?

Thunderstorm refers to a storm characterized by thunder and lightning, while "thundershower" suggests a brief period of rain accompanied by thunder.

What's the difference between "thunderstorm" and "hurricane"?

A "thunderstorm" is a localized storm with thunder and lightning, typically lasting a few hours. A "hurricane" is a large-scale, rotating storm system that forms over warm ocean waters, characterized by sustained winds of at least 74 mph and lasting for days or weeks.