Dictionary.com
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of boom

1
First recorded in 1400–50; 1910–15 for def. 10; late Middle English bombon, bummyn “to buzz”; cognate with Dutch bommen, German bummen; imitative of the sound

OTHER WORDS FROM boom

boom·ing·ly, adverb

Other definitions for boom (2 of 2)

boom2
[ boom ]
/ bum /

noun
verb (used with object)
to extend or position, as a sail (usually followed by out or off).
to manipulate (an object) by or as by means of a crane or derrick.
verb (used without object)
to sail at full speed.

Origin of boom

2
First recorded in 1660–65; from Dutch: literally, “tree, pole”; see origin at beam

OTHER WORDS FROM boom

boomless, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use boom in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for boom (1 of 2)

boom1
/ (buːm) /

verb
to make a deep prolonged resonant sound, as of thunder or artillery fire
to prosper or cause to prosper vigorously and rapidlybusiness boomed
noun

Word Origin for boom

C15: perhaps from Dutch bommen, of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for boom (2 of 2)

boom2
/ (buːm) /

noun
nautical a spar to which a sail is fastened to control its position relative to the wind
a beam or spar pivoting at the foot of the mast of a derrick, controlling the distance from the mast at which a load is lifted or lowered
a pole, usually extensible, carrying an overhead microphone and projected over a film or television set
  1. a barrier across a waterway, usually consisting of a chain of connected floating logs, to confine free-floating logs, protect a harbour from attack, etc
  2. the area so barred off

Word Origin for boom

C16: from Dutch boom tree, beam
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

Other Idioms and Phrases with boom

boom

see lower the boom.

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