English Meaning & Definitions
Able or likely to shatter violently or burst apart, or relating to a sudden and dramatic increase in scale or intensity.
- “The mixture is highly explosive and must be handled with extreme care.”
- “The city has seen explosive population growth over the last decade.”
A substance, especially a prepared chemical, that is able or likely to explode.
- “The demolition team used a plastic explosive to bring down the old bridge.”
- “The police found a cache of illegal explosives in the basement.”
Likely to cause an emotional outburst or a sudden increase in tension or violence.
- “The political situation in the region remains explosive.”
- “He has an explosive temper that can be triggered by the smallest mistake.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “explosive”.
From the Latin 'explodere', meaning 'to drive out by clapping' (from 'ex-' meaning 'out' and 'plaudere' meaning 'to clap'). Originally, it referred to the practice of hooting a performer off the stage. By the mid-17th century, the meaning evolved from 'driving out' to 'bursting out' with sudden violence.
Think of 'Ex' (out) and 'Plosive' (like a loud sound); it is something that bursts out with a loud noise and force.
Frequently Asked Questions About “explosive”
1. What is the meaning of “explosive” in English?
In English, explosive (adjective) is defined as: “Able or likely to shatter violently or burst apart, or relating to a sudden and dramatic increase in scale or intensity.”.
2. How do you use “explosive” in a sentence?
“The mixture is highly explosive and must be handled with extreme care.”
3. What are English synonyms of “explosive”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “explosive”?
From the Latin 'explodere', meaning 'to drive out by clapping' (from 'ex-' meaning 'out' and 'plaudere' meaning 'to clap'). Originally, it referred to the practice of hooting a performer off the stage. By the mid-17th century, the meaning evolved from 'driving out' to 'bursting out' with sudden violence.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.