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Added 9 October 2026

explosive

/ɛkˈspləʊsɪv/ noun

In Latin: explōsīvus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about explosive at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck.

adjective

Serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst.
an explosive device
Liable to lead to sudden change or violence.
an explosive issue
Sudden and loud.
an explosive laugh

Origin

From Latin explōs-, stem of the perfect passive participle of explōdō + the suffix -ive.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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