dynamite

American  

[dahy-nuh-mahyt] / ˈdaɪ nəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. a high explosive, originally consisting of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent substance, now with ammonium nitrate usually replacing the nitroglycerin.

2. any person or thing having a spectacular effect.

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verb (used with object)

dynamited, dynamiting

1. to blow up, shatter, or destroy with dynamite.

   Saboteurs dynamited the dam.

2. to mine or charge with dynamite.

adjective

1. Informal. creating a spectacular or optimum effect; great; topnotch.

   a dynamite idea; a dynamite crew.

dynamite British  

/ ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. an explosive consisting of nitroglycerine or ammonium nitrate mixed with kieselguhr, sawdust, or wood pulp

2. informal a spectacular or potentially dangerous person or thing

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verb

1. (tr) to mine or blow up with dynamite

dynamite Scientific  

/ dī′nə-mīt′ /

1. A powerful explosive used in blasting and mining. It typically consists of nitroglycerin and a nitrate (especially sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate), combined with an absorbent material that makes it safer to handle.

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Other Word Forms

• dynamiter noun
• dynamitic adjective
• dynamitically adverb
• undynamited adjective

Etymology

Origin of dynamite

From Swedish dynamit, introduced by Alfred Bernhard Nobel ( def. ), its inventor in 1867; dynam-, -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Norton added: "Bringing him and Bad Bunny together to tell the true story of Puerto Rico's roots is going to be like a flame finding the stick of dynamite that's been waiting for it."

From BBC

“We’re standing next to a dynamite keg and the fuse is lit,” said Johnston.

From Literature

It was dynamite — a sign that barrier construction that began in 2020 but was never finished had restarted, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Balancing earnest schmaltz with sharp humor, the show works best as a hangout comedy about an extended friend group with dynamite chemistry, with echoes of previous Bill Lawrence shows like “Scrubs” and “Cougar Town.”

From MarketWatch

The material document has shocked experts on the scandal such as Second Sight forensic accountant Ron Warmington, who described the document's implications as "dynamite".

From BBC

Related Words

• nitroglycerin