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

• 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

Wonder, but the bombshell was a first look at the next movie in the franchise. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025

And the episode doesn’t just leave us there with that bombshell as the cliffhanger. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

Does Love Island have bombshells? —Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Her hair was curled, then piled alllll the way up on her head in a beehive shape, with the front portion pulled out to frame her face and give the look a touch of ‘90s Pamela Anderson-esque bombshell vibes. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1708, 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