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bolt

bolt

40 1.7
A sudden bright flash of lightning in the sky
  • noun
  • /boʊlt/
translation icon : rayo
  • And as it rained, a lightning bolt came across the sky.
  • a bolt of lightning
  • bolts strike

And as it rained, a lightning bolt came across the sky.

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Examples

  • Black fire shot from his finger like a lightning bolt, crackling as it flew downhill.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • A white lightning bolt of a scar marred his face from forehead to chin.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • This is a lightning bolt that I got.

  • And when he said that, it was like a lightning bolt went off in my head.

  • And as I was thinking that, the larger bolt hit the umbrella and that was it.

  • Seeing you here, is like a lightning bolt from the blue.

  • Reed explained: "The Balfour Declaration ... struck these people like a bolt from the blue.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The "beast" that he has just decried whips down like a bolt of lightning and snatches him away.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • As the storm approached, a bright bolt of lightning illuminated the night sky.

  • People gasped when a massive bolt of lightning struck the tree, splitting it in half.

Synonyms

lightning
vsbolt
512 1.0

A sudden bright flash in the sky during a storm caused by electricity

emphasizes the flash as part of an event that includes thunder
flash
vsbolt
273 1.7

A sudden, brief burst of bright light, for example from a camera

denotes a natural storm burst usually followed by thunder rather than any brief light
14 3.2

A sudden flash of electricity from the sky that hits something or a sudden strong idea

highlights the visible flash plus thunder rather than the impact of the discharge
9 2.1

A sudden bright flash in the sky during a storm that often comes before thunder

is the shorter term for the same storm flash and thunder event
thunderbolt
vsbolt
6 3.5

A flash of lightning followed by a loud crash of thunder

focuses on the flash itself rather than the combined flash and crash

Idioms

2 6.5

A sudden event that shocks people and is not expected

1 8.6

To use up all your energy or chances so none remain

6.3

Very suddenly and without warning

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

To feel sudden shock or surprise

8.8

To use up all your energy or chances

Compounds

12 3.9

A strong tool with long handles and heavy jaws for cutting metal, like locks or chains

A sudden bright flash in the sky during a storm that often comes before thunder

carriage bolt
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A metal rod with a round head and partial threads used to join wood through a hole

1 2.0

Two metal pieces, a bolt and a matching nut, that hold parts together by screwing

1 6.7

A heavy screw with a large head that joins wood pieces when you turn it with a wrench

toggle bolt
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A metal screw with a spring part that opens inside a hollow wall to hold heavy items

A large ancient weapon that shoots heavy arrows or stones during war

8.6

A hole an animal runs into to hide from danger

6.3

An extra feature you add to a product or system to make it work better

4.8

An extra product you add to an existing system to give it new features

expansion bolt
  • Specialized
5.3

A metal part that spreads inside a hole to hold heavy things to concrete or brick

machine bolt
  • Specialized
4.1

A metal rod with a square or six-sided head and threads that you turn with a wrench

A metal bar on a door that you lock from inside to stop people entering

A metal bar you move to lock a door or gate

A metal bar you slide to lock and unlock a door or gate

stove bolt
  • Specialized
6.8

A small metal piece with a round or flat head that holds metal parts together

How Fast

bolt
40 1.7
bullet
2.2
arrow
196 1.0
dart
140 1.1

Surface Forms

bolt singular
bolts plural

Etymology

A bolt of lightning is like a bright arrow or dart from the sky, which gives a strong picture of a sudden flash. That is why we call a quick, bright flash of lightning a 'bolt'.