# thump

> English word · Noun · IPA /θʌmp/ · frequency rank #30,261

## Definitions
1. A blow that produces a muffled sound.
2. The sound of such a blow; a thud.
3. Used to replace the vulgar or blasphemous element in "what the hell" and similar phrases.
4. Synonym of bump (“sudden movement of underground strata”).

## Etymology
Mid 16th century, probably imitative.

## Easily confused with
- **tum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thump-vs-tum)
- **thus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thump-vs-thus)
- **Thun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thump-vs-thun)
- **trump** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thump-vs-trump)
- **tramp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thump-vs-tramp)
- **thyme** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thump-vs-thyme)
- **thunk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thump-vs-thunk)
- **Thu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thu-vs-thump)
- **them** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/them-vs-thump)
- **temp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/temp-vs-thump)
- **thug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thug-vs-thump)
- **Thom** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thom-vs-thump)
- **thud** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thud-vs-thump)
- **theme** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/theme-vs-thump)
- **thumb** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thumb-vs-thump)
- **Thule** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thule-vs-thump)

## Common misspellings (8)
`htump`, `thhump`, `thmup`, `thummp`, `thumpp`, `thupm`, `tthump`, `tuhmp`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/thump