Definition

1. Noun:

   • A heavy blow with the hand or fist: A forceful hit delivered with a closed hand.
   • A heavy, dull sound: A low, muffled sound produced by the impact of a heavy object or a forceful action.

2. Verb:

   • To hit hard with the hand, fist, or a blunt instrument: To strike something forcefully, often producing a dull sound.
   • To make a dull, heavy sound: To produce a low, thudding noise, often from impact or from a rhythmic beat.
   • To move or beat rhythmically and forcefully: To pulsate or pound with a heavy, regular beat.

Examples

• Noun:

  • He gave the table a loud thump with his fist.
  • We heard a heavy thump from the room above.

• Verb:

  • She thumped the pillow to make it fluffier.
  • The book thumped onto the floor.
  • His heart thumped wildly with excitement.

Advanced Usage

• "to thump out": to produce a rhythm by hitting something heavily and repeatedly.

  • He thumped out a beat on the old drums.

• "to give someone/something a thump": to hit someone or something once, forcefully.

  • She gave the malfunctioning vending machine a good thump.

Variants and Related Words

• Thumper (n): One who or that which thumps. (Informal)

  • The rabbit in the story is named Thumper.

• Thumping (adj/n): (Used as an adjective) Very large or impressive. (Used as a noun) The action or sound of thumping.

  • He won by a thumping majority. (adj)
  • The constant thumping from the stereo was annoying. (n)

Synonyms

• Pound: To strike repeatedly with great force.
• Thud: To make a dull, heavy sound, especially when falling or hitting something.
• Wallop: (Informal) To hit very hard.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Thump on/at: To hit or knock on something repeatedly and heavily.
  • Someone was thumping on the front door.

Related Idioms

• Bible-thumping: (Derogatory) Describing a person, especially a preacher, who promotes Christian beliefs in a loudly enthusiastic and aggressive manner.

  • He was a Bible-thumping evangelist.

• Thump the tub: To speak loudly and publicly in support of a cause; to promote something noisily. (Chiefly British, dated)

  • The politician was thumping the tub for tax reforms.

Noun

1. a heavy blow with the hand
2. a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)

Verb

1. hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
   • the salesman pounded the door knocker
   • a bible-thumping Southern Baptist
2. make a dull sound
   • the knocker thudded against the front door
3. move rhythmically
   • Her heart was beating fast