thundershower: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Meteorological
Quick answer
What does “thundershower” mean?
A short, heavy rainstorm accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short, heavy rainstorm accompanied by thunder and lightning.
A convective precipitation event of moderate intensity and duration, characterized by the audible and electrical phenomena of a thunderstorm.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. It is more common in weather forecasts and formal descriptions than in casual conversation, where 'thunderstorm' or 'storm' is often used regardless of duration.
Connotations
Neutral meteorological term. Slightly more formal than 'storm'.
Frequency
Rare in everyday casual speech in both regions. More frequent in written weather reports, forecasts, and historical/literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “thundershower” in a Sentence
[The/An/This] thundershower [verb: passed, drenched, hit, delayed] [noun phrase].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thundershower” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The thundershower activity was forecast to move eastwards.
- We had a thundershower-filled afternoon.
American English
- Thundershower chances will increase by evening.
- It was a typical thundershower pattern for July.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in logistics/transportation contexts discussing delays: 'Shipment was delayed by an afternoon thundershower.'
Academic
Used in geography, meteorology, and climatology papers to describe specific convective events.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. More likely in planned or descriptive speech: 'We might get a thundershower later.'
Technical
Standard term in meteorology for a short-duration thunderstorm with precipitation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thundershower”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thundershower”
- Using 'thundershower' to describe a long-lasting, severe thunderstorm.
- Misspelling as 'thundershower' (correct) vs. 'thunder shower' (two words, less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A thundershower typically implies a shorter, less severe event focused on the rainfall. A thunderstorm is a broader term that can encompass longer durations, stronger winds, hail, and tornadoes.
No, it has low frequency. It is a precise meteorological term. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say 'thunderstorm' or just 'storm'.
No, 'thundershower' is exclusively a noun. The related verb would be 'to thunder' or phrases like 'a storm is showering'.
Not a standard one. You would use attributive nouns, e.g., 'thundershower activity', or descriptive phrases like 'thundery showers'.
A short, heavy rainstorm accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Thundershower is usually formal, meteorological in register.
Thundershower: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθʌndəˌʃaʊə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθʌndɚˌʃaʊɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A thundershower's promise (refers to something dramatic but brief).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: THUNDER + SHOWER. It's a shower of rain with the added sound and light show of thunder (and lightning).
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE'S DRUM SOLO (a powerful, percussive, but temporary display).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'thundershower'?