QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of boom
1First 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, adverbDefinition 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
21635–45; <Dutch: tree, pole, beam
OTHER WORDS FROM boom
boomless, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for boom
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
- 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
- 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
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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.