boom

¹boom

verb \ˈbüm\

Definition of BOOM

intransitive verb

1

: to make a deep hollow sound

2

a : to increase in importance, popularity, or esteem b : to experience a sudden rapid growth and expansion usually with an increase in prices <business was booming> c : to develop rapidly in population and importance <California boomed when gold was discovered there> d : to increase greatly in size or number <the population boomed>

transitive verb

1

: to cause to resound —often used with out <his voice booms out the lyrics>

2

: to cause a rapid growth or increase of : boost

3

: to hit or kick forcefully <boom a punt>

Examples of BOOM

1. the sound of the bass drum booming
2. His voice boomed out across the congregation.
3. She boomed commands from the stern of the ship.
4. “What's going on here?” he boomed.
5. Housing construction has boomed in the past year.
6. Last year we almost had to close the store, but now business is booming.

Origin of BOOM

Middle English bomben, bummen, of imitative origin

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to BOOM

Synonyms: accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, increase, build up, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax

Antonyms: contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

Related Words: jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge; heighten, intensify, redouble; blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up); crescendo, crest, peak

Near Antonyms: grunt, mouth, mumble, murmur, mutter, whisper; mewl, pule, squeak, whimper

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with BOOM

bloom, broom, brume, combe, cwm, doom, flume, fume, gloom, glume, groom, khoum, loom, neume, plume, rheum, room, spume, tomb, toom, vroom, whom, womb, zoom