explosive
explosive — adjective
1. likely or able to burst apart violently, often with a loud noise and great destr
likely or able to burst apart violently, often with a loud noise and great destructive force, said especially about gases, chemicals, or devices.
The old gas canisters in the shed were highly explosive and needed careful disposal.
highly explosive — intensifier commonly used before the adjective
Firefighters warned that the leaking pipe had created an explosive mixture inside the kitchen.
explosive + noun (mixture, gas, material)
The demolition crew used explosive charges to bring down the old factory wall.
An explosive device was found hidden under a parked car near the stadium.
Factory workers must wear special gloves when handling explosive chemicals.
- volatile
more technical; describes liquids or chemicals that change into gas easily and can explode
- combustible
focuses on the ability to catch fire, not necessarily to burst apart
- unstable
broader — can describe any substance that is likely to change state dangerously
文法句型
explosive + noun (material, gas, device)
be + explosive
用法筆記
Frequently appears in safety warnings and news reports. The noun it describes is the substance or object that can explode, not the cause of the explosion.
常見錯誤
2. extremely loud and happening all at once, like the sound of a bomb or firework g
extremely loud and happening all at once, like the sound of a bomb or firework going off.
The dinner guests were startled by an explosive burst of laughter from the kitchen.
explosive + noun (burst, crack, bang)
An explosive crack echoed across the frozen lake as the ice began to split.
The fireworks ended with an explosive bang that lit up the entire night sky.
Eri covered her ears when she heard the explosive roar of the racing motorcycle.
- deafening
focuses on loudness without the suddenness — a noise can be deafening but gradual
- thunderous
describes a deep, rolling loudness rather than a sharp sudden sound
- ear-splitting
emphasises the pain caused by the loudness, not the sudden onset
文法句型
explosive + noun (sound, bang, crack, roar)
用法筆記
The sound is always abrupt and startling — not used for steady, continuous loud noises like the hum of traffic. Typically used before a noun naming the sound itself (bang, crack, burst, roar).
3. involving or likely to cause sudden, strong negative emotions such as anger, con
involving or likely to cause sudden, strong negative emotions such as anger, conflict, or violence — said about a situation, issue, or piece of news.
The manager knew the team meeting could become explosive if salaries were brought up.
become explosive — predicate use describing a situation turning tense
Tunde's explosive comments about the new policy led to a heated argument in the office.
The journalist wrote a report on the explosive conflict between the two political groups.
The dispute over water rights remained explosive for months after the court ruling.
文法句型
explosive + noun (situation, issue, comment, reaction)
the situation is explosive
用法筆記
Subject is usually a situation, issue, or public statement, not a person — though a person's temper can be described as explosive when it is likely to result in a sudden angry outburst.
常見錯誤
4. increasing or expanding extremely quickly by a very large amount — used about nu
increasing or expanding extremely quickly by a very large amount — used about numbers, sizes, or economic activity.
The country saw explosive growth in smartphone use between 2010 and 2020.
explosive + noun (growth, rise, increase)
The online course experienced explosive demand after the university offered it for free.
Tech companies reported explosive profits during the early stages of the pandemic.
There has been an explosive rise in the number of electric cars on the road.
文法句型
explosive + noun (growth, rise, increase, demand)
用法筆記
Always used before the noun that names what is growing (growth, rise, increase, demand, profit). Never used to describe the growing thing itself — only the rate or scale of the growth.
5. describing a player or movement that can suddenly shift into very high speed or
describing a player or movement that can suddenly shift into very high speed or great strength, especially in ball games, running, or weightlifting.
The basketball player was known for his explosive jumps and quick court movements.
explosive + noun (jump, shot, acceleration) — common in sports commentary
The coach trained the runners to improve their explosive acceleration off the starting block.
The striker's explosive shot on goal sent the ball flying past the goalkeeper.
The tennis player's explosive serve was too fast for her opponent to return.
- slow
taking a long time to reach speed
文法句型
explosive + noun (jump, shot, acceleration, speed, power)
用法筆記
Most common in sports journalism and coaching. Refers specifically to the ability to generate maximum force or speed from a stationary or slow position — not used for general athletic ability or endurance.
explosive — noun
1. a solid, liquid, or device that can burst apart violently, releasing energy and
a solid, liquid, or device that can burst apart violently, releasing energy and heat in a very short time, used for blasting rock, in weapons, or in fireworks.
The police dog was trained to detect hidden explosives at airports and train stations.
detect + explosives — verb commonly used with this noun
Mining companies use controlled explosives to break up rock deep underground.
The soldiers stored the explosives in a secure bunker away from the main camp.
The forensic team found traces of explosive on the suspect's jacket and shoes.
The fireworks factory was licensed to handle large quantities of explosive.
文法句型
handling/storing/detecting + explosives
traces of explosive
explosives + verb (detonate, go off)
用法筆記
Often appears in the plural form (explosives) when referring to individual devices or packages. The uncountable form (explosive) is used when talking about the substance in general, especially after words like 'traces of' or 'quantities of'.