Meaning of explosive In English

• 0 exploding or able to explode easily:

  • Certain gases are highly explosive.

  • An explosive device (= a bomb) was found at one of the capital's busiest stations this morning.

  • There was an explosive clap of thunder overhead.

• 1 An explosive situation or emotion is one in which strong feelings are loudly or violently expressed:

  • The situation in some of America's cities has become explosive.

  • Capital punishment is an explosive issue.

  • She has an explosive temper.

• 2 An explosive increase is very large and quick:

  • The last few years have seen an explosive increase in the number of homeless people on our streets.

• 3 used to describe a sports player, runner, etc. who is able to suddenly increase their speed or power while playing or running, or to describe this speed or power:

  • He was one of the Premier League's most explosive players.

  • Trainers work on drills designed to promote explosive speed and physical agility.

• 4 a substance or piece of equipment that can cause explosions

• 5 exploding or able to explode easily:

  • an explosive device

  • Certain gases are highly explosive.

  • fig. It was a politically explosive issue.

  • She has an explosive temper.

• 6 very quick and big:

  • There has been an explosive increase in the number households owning a computer.

• 7 a substance that can be made to burst violently:

  • Explosives are sometimes used to blast away rock in construction.

  • Dynamite is a powerful explosive.