rhizoverbBeta
DictionarythumpHeavy dull impact
noun / verb

thump

THUMP/θˈʌmp/

A heavy blow or movement that makes a dull sound.

The heavy sack lands with a thump on the floor.

A heavy, tightly filled burlap sack lands flat on a wooden floor, its soft underside visibly compressing at the instant of impact.
Etymology

The noun comes from the verb meaning “strike hard,” which probably imitated the sound of a heavy impact. The sound-name thus reflects the noise made by the action.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain97:57
Thump Thump Thump the whole house began to tremble with the noise of someone coming
1800s Fiction: Joseph Jacobs - English Fairy Tales (Audiobook)

More examples

  • He thumped the cushion.
  • Several thumps came from the stairs.
  • The machine is thumping again.

Forms

thump · thumps · thumped · thumping

Similar words

thud
Emphasizes the dull sound rather than the blow itself.
bang
Usually a sharper louder impact.