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

As Wood referred to, last August, McKellen dropped a casting bombshell at the For the Love of Fantasy fan event in London. —Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026

The inspiration for this bombshell ‘do was the high-glamour supermodel blowouts of the ‘90s. —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026

And that eye could see past Dorothy’s drab uniform and Cindy Brady pigtails, her tall girl’s diffidence and her sweet girl’s shyness, to the bombshell smoldering underneath. —Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026

For those who have followed the Wedding case, the indictment was a bombshell. —Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 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