thundercloud

or thun·der·clouds

[ thuhn-der-kloud ]

noun

1. cumulonimbus.

thundercloud

/ ˈθʌndəˌklaʊd /

noun

1. a towering electrically charged cumulonimbus cloud associated with thunderstorms
2. anything that is threatening

thundercloud

/ thŭn′dər-kloud′ /

1. See cumulonimbus

Word History and Origins

Origin of thundercloud¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; thunder + cloud

Example Sentences

“Well, I think he’s a guy who says, ‘I can handle everything,’ so that’s the perfect candidate to build up a big thundercloud when he doesn’t know it’s going to rain — and it rains,” the actor says.

From Los Angeles Times

There is a photo of Spanto by Carlos Jaramillo, standing in front of a waterfall of red satin curtains at the party, looking proud in his all-black suit embellished with traditional Navajo pieces by Thundercloud Jewelry.

From Los Angeles Times

A honeybee swarm has as much electric charge as a thundercloud, and the insects’ mass movements in the atmosphere might even have some influence on the weather.

From Scientific American

“I don’t know. He’s really big. Bigger than this horse. He gets really shaggy in the winter. He’s the color of a thundercloud.”

From Literature

A thundercloud of media interest has hung over claims of a strained brotherly relationship, now conducted from different sides of the Atlantic.

From BBC