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bombshell

[bom-shel]
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noun

a bomb.
something or someone having a sudden and sensational effect: The news of his resignation was a bombshell.

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RELATED WORDS

bump, shock, reversal, punch, setback, excitement, thrill, phenomenon, prodigy, impact, disturbance, consternation, collapse, confusion, jolt, earthquake, trauma, awe, injury, scare

Nearby words

  1. bomblet,
  2. bombload,
  3. bombora,
  4. bombous,
  5. bombproof,
  6. bombsight,
  7. bombycid,
  8. bombé,
  9. bommie,
  10. bomu

Origin of bombshell

1700–10; 1925–30 for def 2; bomb + shell
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bombshell

British Dictionary definitions for bombshell

bombshell

noun

(esp formerly) a bomb or artillery shell
a shocking or unwelcome surprisethe news of his death was a bombshell
informal an attractive girl or woman (esp in the phrase blonde bombshell)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for bombshell

bombshell

n.

1708, from bomb (n.) + shell (n.). The figurative sense of "shattering or devastating thing or event" attested from 1860. In reference to a pretty woman (especially a blonde) it is attested from 1942 ("Bombshell" as title of a movie starring blond U.S. actress Jean Harlow (1911-1937) is from 1933).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with bombshell

bombshell

see drop a bombshell.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.