bombshell

[bom-shel]

See more synonyms for bombshell on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for bombshell

Contemporary Examples

And instead of choosing to drop the Thor bombshell at the upcoming San Diego Comic Con, Marvel revealed the change on The View.
DC Comics’ Diversity Crisis: Why the Status Quo Rules
Liz Watson
July 20, 2014
She was also a buxom beauty, a kind of nineteenth century bombshell who loved to flirt.
Lincoln in Love
Jerome Charyn
February 14, 2014
Then, at the end of the first trimester, John drops a bombshell: there is not one love-child, but two.
If The Peace Talks Were A Movie
Matthew Kalman
December 12, 2013
Feller also represents victim No. 2, whose story was the subject of bombshell trial testimony.
Sandusky Son to Settle
Diane Dimond
August 18, 2013
That would be quite a bombshell indeed—not to mention a prodigious technical feat.
A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal: What You May Not Know About Data Collection
Charles Johnson
June 20, 2013

Historical Examples

I found out afterwards that they'd been on the lookout for the bombshell for half an hour.
The Depot Master
Joseph C. Lincoln
A second potato burst like a bombshell on the shingles behind him.
The Depot Master
Joseph C. Lincoln
Had a bombshell burst over my head the effect could have been no greater.
The Long Voyage
Carl Richard Jacobi
If a bombshell had dropped into Sellersville, consternation could not have been more complete.
The Mountain Divide
Frank H. Spearman
His appearance in the fray was like that of a bombshell timed to explode in its midst.
The Mountain Divide
Frank H. Spearman

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

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).

Idioms and Phrases with bombshell

bombshell

see drop a bombshell.

bombshell

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}bombshell

Examples from the Web for bombshell

Contemporary Examples

And instead of choosing to drop the Thor bombshell at the upcoming San Diego Comic Con, Marvel revealed the change on The View.

She was also a buxom beauty, a kind of nineteenth century bombshell who loved to flirt.

Then, at the end of the first trimester, John drops a bombshell: there is not one love-child, but two.

Feller also represents victim No. 2, whose story was the subject of bombshell trial testimony.

That would be quite a bombshell indeed—not to mention a prodigious technical feat.

Historical Examples

I found out afterwards that they'd been on the lookout for the bombshell for half an hour.

A second potato burst like a bombshell on the shingles behind him.

Had a bombshell burst over my head the effect could have been no greater.

If a bombshell had dropped into Sellersville, consternation could not have been more complete.

His appearance in the fray was like that of a bombshell timed to explode in its midst.

bombshell

Word Origin and History for bombshell

n.

Idioms and Phrases with bombshell

bombshell

Origin of bombshell