Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fragore | /fraˈɡo.re/ | masculine |
| frastuono | /frasˈtwɔ.no/ | masculine |
The term is used to describe a deep, resonant or roaring noise. While it can describe the sound of thunder, it is also used to describe the sound of a crashing wave.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nature of the noise. fragore implies a deep, resonant roar or a rumbling sound. In contrast, frastuono refers to a chaotic, disorganized or annoying racket, typically caused by people or machines rather than natural phenomena. Additionally, schianto can be used informally to refer specifically to the sudden crash of thunder.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms fragore and frastuono are masculine nouns. The related verb tuonare is used to describe the action of thunder occurring or the sound of something booming like thunder.
How do you pronounce it?
/fraˈɡo.re/. The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse fragore with tuono. While tuono is the direct translation for the meteorological phenomenon of thunder, fragore specifically describes the quality of the deep, roaring sound itself.
Did you know?
- The Latin root of fragore, fragor, is the same ancestor for the English word 'fragment'.
- The term fragore is frequently used in Italian opera librettos to evoke the dramatic power of nature.
- Italian distinguishes between the sound of thunder, tuono, and the flash of lightning, fulmine, whereas English speakers sometimes conflate the two in casual speech.
Examples in context
- Ogni volta che sento il tuono, resto incantato dalla sua potenzaEvery time I hear thunder, I am enchanted by its power
- Hai sentito lo schianto del tuono?Did you hear the crash of thunder?
- L'altro giorno c'è stato un rombo tuonante spaventosoThe other day there was a terrifying thunderclap
- Il fragore del tuono mi ha spaventato.The rumbling of the thunder scared me.
- Il fragore del temporale era assordante.The thunderous rumbling of the storm was deafening.
Example conversation
Francesco and Giulia are inside during a storm.
- FrancescoHai sentito quel fragore improvviso?Did you hear that sudden rumble?
- GiuliaSì, il temporale è molto vicino.Yes, the storm is very close.
- FrancescoSpero che non cada la corrente.I hope the power doesn't go out.
- GiuliaNon preoccuparti, Francesco, starà tutto bene.Don't worry, Francesco, everything will be fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thunder” translations and entries fragore, frastuono, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fragore, CC BY-SA 4.0.
