bomb

¹bomb

noun \ˈbäm\

Definition of BOMB

1

a : an explosive device fused to detonate under specified conditions b : atomic bomb; also : nuclear weapons in general —usually used with the

2

: a vessel for compressed gases: as a : a pressure vessel for conducting chemical experiments b : a container for an aerosol (as an insecticide) : spray can

3

: a rounded mass of lava exploded from a volcano

4

: a lead-lined container for radioactive material

5

: failure, flop <the play was a bomb>

6

British : a large sum of money

7

a British : a great success : hit b slang : one that is striking or extraordinary —used with the <their new album is the bomb>

8

a : a long pass in football b : a very long shot (as in basketball) <shooting 3-point bombs>; also : home run

9

: something unexpected and unpleasant —often used with drop <dropped a bomb with her resignation>

Examples of BOMB

1. A bomb went off downtown.
2. Many bombs were dropped on the city during the war.
3. They hid a bomb in the building.
4. countries that have the bomb

Origin of BOMB

French bombe, from Italian bomba, probably from Latin bombus deep hollow sound, from Greek bombos, of imitative origin

First Known Use: 1684

Related to BOMB

Synonyms: failure, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker, clunker, debacle (also débâcle), disaster, dud, fiasco, fizzle, flop, frost, lemon, loser, miss, shipwreck, turkey, washout

Antonyms: blockbuster, hit, smash, success, winner

Related Words: also-ran, disappointment, dog, has-been, near miss; botch, hash, mess, muddle, shambles; nonevent; nonstarter

Near Antonyms: corker, crackerjack (also crackajack), dandy, jim-dandy, phenomenon

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with BOMB

bombe, calm, gaum, Guam, glom, mom, palm, Pom, pram, prom, psalm, ROM, tom