How to pronounce thunderstorm
Say it like THUHN-der-storm. Thunderstorm has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THUHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce thunderstorm. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- THUHN
- der
- storm
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Thunderstorm pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- THUHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- stormGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of thunderstorm
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: THUHN-duh-stawm.
What does thunderstorm mean?
- A storm consisting of thunder and lightning produced by a cumulonimbus, usually accompanied with heavy rain, wind, and sometimes hail; and in rarer cases sleet, freezing rain, or snow.
Where does thunderstorm come from?
From thunder + storm.
Questions about saying thunderstorm
How do you pronounce thunderstorm?
Say THUHN-der-storm. The American pronunciation is /ˈθʌndɚˌstɔrm/. In British English it is /ˈθʌndəˌstɔːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in thunderstorm?
Thunderstorm has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (THUHN). Broken into parts: THUHN · der · storm.
Is thunderstorm pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈθʌndəˌstɔːm/ (THUHN-duh-stawm).