bombshell

[bom-shel]

noun

1. a bomb.

2. something or someone having a sudden and sensational effect.

   The news of his resignation was a bombshell.

bombshell

/ ˈbɒmˌʃɛl /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a bomb or artillery shell

2. a shocking or unwelcome surprise

   the news of his death was a bombshell

3. informal,  an attractive girl or woman (esp in the phrase blonde bombshell )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombshell¹

1700–10; 1925–30 bombshell for def. 2; bomb + shell

Idioms and Phrases

see drop a bombshell.

Example Sentences

AS IF SHE DIDN’T just drop a bombshell on us, Ama turns and whisks out of the office, closing the door behind her.

Read more on Literature

When the news broke and Agar was presented with his baggy green cap by Glenn McGrath, Cricket Australia's own website called it "one of the biggest Ashes bombshells in history".

Read more on BBC

His new arrest stems from a bombshell about-face last year by the office of Mexico’s attorney general, which abruptly retreated from the lone-gunman allegation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s clear very early on that Fred was better at handling bombs than bombshells, as evidenced by his choice of a mate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

German prosecutors in a bombshell announcement in 2020 named Brueckner, who is known to have lived in the area on and off at the time, as their top suspect.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• awe 
• bump 
• collapse 
• confusion 
• consternation 
• disturbance 
• earthquake 
• excitement 
• impact 
• injury 
• jolt 
• scare 
• trauma