Main Entry:

¹ex·plo·sive

Pronunciation:

\ik-ˈsplō-siv, -ziv\

Function:

adjective

Date:

1667

1 a: relating to, characterized by, or operated by explosion <an explosive hatch> b: resulting from or as if from an explosion <explosive population growth>2 a: tending to explode <an explosive person> b: likely to erupt in or produce hostile reaction or violence <an explosive ghetto situation>

— ex·plo·sive·ly adverb

— ex·plo·sive·ness noun