bombshell

noun

bomb·​shell ˈbäm-ˌshel 

1

: bomb sense 1a

2

a

: one that is stunning, amazing, or devastating

The book was a political bombshell.

b

: a person who is the cause and object of sensational and usually widespread attention, excitement, or attraction

a blonde bombshell [=a glamorously attractive blonde woman]

Synonyms of bombshell

• surprise
• shock
• jolt
• revelation

Examples of bombshell in a Sentence

discovering that I had a long-lost sister was an absolute bombshell

Recent Examples on the Web

Jean Harlow, Hollywood's iconic blonde bombshell, left a legacy that lives on both on and off screen. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026

Kim Novak thinks the movie would be too sexy because Sweeney is such a bombshell. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2026

But less attention was given to other bombshells dropped about vaccines that day. —Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 19 Mar. 2026

You might not have been born with the blonde bombshell’s voluminous curls, but this innovation will get you one step closer to acing the look. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bombshell

• drop a bombshell

Rhymes for bombshell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel
• dispel

Kids Definition

bombshell

noun

bomb·​shell -ˌshel 

1

: bomb entry 1 sense 1a

2

: a great surprise