bombshell

noun

bomb·​shell ˈbäm-ˌshel How to pronounce bombshell (audio)
1
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]

Examples of bombshell in a Sentence

discovering that I had a long-lost sister was an absolute bombshell
Recent Examples on the Web These bombshells washed over the country, in part, because the arbiters of national political discourse were ... Noah Rothman, National Review, 3 June 2024 After spending 11 years on the ABC sitcom as Gloria, a Colombian bombshell and single mom, the actress opened up about the difficulties with finding a dramatic role. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024 For her first stop in Minneapolis, big black bombshell curls were parted down the middle before the heat of summertime Chi expanded them. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 29 May 2024 The three-episode show explores the beginnings of Ashley Madison in 2001, its rise in popularity and its bombshell 2015 data breach that revealed the information of over 30 million users. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for bombshell 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bombshell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bombshell was in 1708

Dictionary Entries Near bombshell

Cite this Entry

“Bombshell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombshell. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

bombshell

noun
bomb·​shell -ˌshel How to pronounce bombshell (audio)
1
2
: a great surprise

More from Merriam-Webster on bombshell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!