explosive
ex|plo|sive /ɪkspl'oʊsɪv/ (explosives)
1 [N-VAR]
An explosive is a substance or device that can cause an explosion.
...one-hundred-and-fifty pounds of Semtex explosive...
2 [ADJ]
Something that is explosive is capable of causing an explosion.
The explosive device was timed to go off at the rush hour...
● explosively [ADV] ADV adj, ADV after v
Hydrogen is explosively flammable when mixed with oxygen.
3 [ADJ]
An explosive growth is a sudden, rapid increase in the size or quantity of something.
The explosive growth in casinos is one of the most conspicuous signs of Westernisation.
● explosively [ADV] ADV after v, ADV adj
These transactions grew explosively in the early 1980s.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
An explosive situation is likely to have difficult, serious, or dangerous effects.
He appeared to be treating the potentially explosive situation with some sensitivity...
Nobody knows what explosive arguments the future of Europe will bring.
● explosively [ADV] ADV after v
A referendum next year would coincide explosively with the election campaign.
5 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as explosive, you mean that they tend to express sudden violent anger.
He's inherited his father's explosive temper.
= fiery
● explosively [ADV] ADV after v, ADV adj
`Are you mad?' David asked explosively.
6 [ADJ]
A sudden loud noise can be described as explosive.
He made a loud, explosive noise of disgust.
...an explosive drumbeat.
● explosively [ADV] ADV adj, ADV after v
The sound of her own chewing and swallowing were explosively loud.high ex|plo|sive (high explosives)
[N-VAR]
High explosive is an extremely powerful explosive substance.plas|tic ex|plo|sive (plastic explosives)
[N-MASS]
Plastic explosive is a substance which explodes and which is used in making small bombs.
1 [N-VAR]
An explosive is a substance or device that can cause an explosion.
...one-hundred-and-fifty pounds of Semtex explosive...
2 [ADJ]
Something that is explosive is capable of causing an explosion.
The explosive device was timed to go off at the rush hour...
● explosively [ADV] ADV adj, ADV after v
Hydrogen is explosively flammable when mixed with oxygen.
3 [ADJ]
An explosive growth is a sudden, rapid increase in the size or quantity of something.
The explosive growth in casinos is one of the most conspicuous signs of Westernisation.
● explosively [ADV] ADV after v, ADV adj
These transactions grew explosively in the early 1980s.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
An explosive situation is likely to have difficult, serious, or dangerous effects.
He appeared to be treating the potentially explosive situation with some sensitivity...
Nobody knows what explosive arguments the future of Europe will bring.
● explosively [ADV] ADV after v
A referendum next year would coincide explosively with the election campaign.
5 [ADJ]
If you describe someone as explosive, you mean that they tend to express sudden violent anger.
He's inherited his father's explosive temper.
= fiery
● explosively [ADV] ADV after v, ADV adj
`Are you mad?' David asked explosively.
6 [ADJ]
A sudden loud noise can be described as explosive.
He made a loud, explosive noise of disgust.
...an explosive drumbeat.
● explosively [ADV] ADV adj, ADV after v
The sound of her own chewing and swallowing were explosively loud.high ex|plo|sive (high explosives)
[N-VAR]
High explosive is an extremely powerful explosive substance.plas|tic ex|plo|sive (plastic explosives)
[N-MASS]
Plastic explosive is a substance which explodes and which is used in making small bombs.