What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
thump
Example
I heard a loud thump coming from the other room. [thump: noun]
Example
He thumped his fist on the table in frustration. [thumped: past tense verb]
pound
Example
The construction workers pounded the nails into the wood. [pounded: past tense verb]
Example
I could hear the pounding of the rain on the roof all night. [pounding: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pound is more commonly used than thump in everyday language. Pound is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while thump is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between thump and pound?
Both thump and pound can be used in informal and formal contexts, but pound may be more commonly used in technical or specialized fields, such as construction or engineering.