rombo
/ˈrom.bo/
The English word rumble is translated into Italian as rombo.
The noun rombo is used to describe a low, heavy and continuous sound. It is commonly used when referring to the low-frequency sounds of thunder, a heavy engine or a distant storm.
Meaning: low, heavy, continuous sound (noun)
Which one should you use?
While rombo refers to a low and continuous sound, the word ruggito is used for sounds that are more sudden and powerful, such as a lion's roar or a sudden burst of an engine.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of rombo is rombi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈrom.bo/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word rombo comes from the Ancient Greek word rhómbos, which referred to a humming toy made of a piece of wood or leather spun on a string.
- In Italian geometry, a rombo is the word for a rhombus. This means the same word is used for both a low sound and a diamond-shaped four-sided polygon.
- While rombo is the standard word for the rumble of thunder, the Italian word for the lightning bolt itself is fulmine, which is the root of the English word 'fulminate'.
Examples in context
- Ho sentito un rombo di tuono molto forte durante il temporale.I heard a very loud thunder rumble during the storm.
- Mi piace l'effetto del rombo del motore di questa macchina.I like the sound of the engine's rumble in this car.
- Siamo stati svegliati dal ruggito del tuono.We were awakened by the rumble of the thunder.
- La moto del mio amico rombava come un treno.My friend's motorcycle rumbled like a train.
- Il tuono rombava minaccioso nel cielo.The thunder rumbled menacingly in the sky.
- Si sentì un fragore assordante dopo l'esplosione.A deafening rumble was heard after the explosion.
- Il fragore della frana preoccupava gli abitanti del paese.The rumble of the landslide worried the village residents.
- Il rombo del tuono ha svegliato tutti.The rumble of thunder woke everyone up.
- Sento un rombo in lontananza.I hear a rumble in the distance.
- Il rombo del motore era costante.The rumble of the engine was constant.
Example conversation
Sofia and Francesco are sitting on the porch during a storm.
- SofiaSenti quel rombo nel cielo?Do you hear that rumble in the sky?
- FrancescoSì, sembra un temporale molto forte.Yes, it sounds like a very strong storm.
- SofiaFrancesco, forse è meglio rientrare.Francesco, maybe it is better to go back inside.
- FrancescoHai ragione, entriamo subito.You are right, let's go inside immediately.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry rombo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rombo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
