ker-

prefix

Used to form various onomatopoeias imitating the effect or sound of a heavy object falling.

“[The book] has suspense, pathos, bravery, and the bad guys get it in the end with a big KERWHAM! http://www.amazon.com/review/R3TF8Z741367CL”

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Meanings

prefix

alternative ka- · alternative ca- · alternative ke- · alternative cha-

  1. humorousoftenUsed to form various onomatopoeias imitating the effect or sound of a heavy object falling.

    [The book] has suspense, pathos, bravery, and the bad guys get it in the end with a big KERWHAM! http://www.amazon.com/review/R3TF8Z741367CL

Origin

Now stands in for a thud. Originally Scots, possibly continuing Scottish Gaelic car (“somewhat”), cognate with Irish cor. Early uses were often collocated with went.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

ker-. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ker-

MLA

“ker-.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ker-. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ker-,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ker-.

Source: ker- on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.