WordGarden.iodynamite
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈaɪnəmˌaɪt/
US
- /ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt/
Meanings
Noun
a powerful explosive used for blasting rock, buildings, or other materials
something likely to cause shock, controversy, or sudden upheaval
Verb
to blow something up with dynamite
Adjective
excellent, exciting, or very impressive
Beyond the definition
Dynamite is not just about explosions. It is best known as a powerful explosive used in construction, mining, and demolition, but it can also describe something or someone very exciting, powerful, or impressive. You might talk about a singer with a dynamite voice or a player giving a dynamite performance. In those cases, the idea is simple: something that hits hard and leaves a strong impression.
Dynamite is most famously known as a powerful explosive developed by Alfred Nobel in the 19th century. It was used to blast rock in mining, road building, and construction, because it was easier and safer to handle than pure nitroglycerin. When people needed to cut through stone or bring down part of a structure in a controlled way, dynamite often played that role.
Over time, dynamite also took on a figurative meaning. Now people use it to describe anything especially exciting, forceful, or impressive. A dynamite personality can light up a room. A dynamite performance can thrill a crowd. A dynamite idea, song, or dish can feel fresh, strong, and full of impact.
The link between the literal and figurative meanings is the sense of strong impact. Just as the explosive breaks through rock, the figurative use suggests something that lands with force and gets attention right away. So whether the word refers to blasting rock or to a stunning performance, it carries the idea of power, excitement, and effect.
Examples
- 1
Explosive material
Police evacuated the site after workers found old dynamite under the floor.
- 2
Blasting work
The crew used two sticks of dynamite to break up the rock.
- Phrasesticks of dynamite
separate pieces of the explosive
- 3
Election politics
The leaked report could be political dynamite before the election.
- Phrasepolitical dynamite
information that could cause serious trouble or strong reactions
- 4
Informal praise
She gave a dynamite presentation and won the client.
- Usagedynamite
extremely good or exciting; informal English
See also
Similar
- explosive
- blasting agent
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
- TNT
Used with (collocations)
- stick of dynamite
- dynamite blast
- dynamite charge
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dynamitenounverb
Forms
- dynamitedpast tenseverbnoun
- dynamiting-ing formverbnoun
- dynamitesverbnoun