explosive
gb/ɪksplˈoʊsɪv/ us/ɪksplˈoʊsɪv/
B1
Anglais
~ 5000
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B1
property
1
Able to blow up easily
Able to blow up or burst suddenly.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is explosive
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'explosive' with 'exploding', using it for something that has already exploded rather than something that can explode.
Synonymes
combustible (Suggests the ability to catch fire but not necessarily explode.)
Antonymes
stable (Not likely to change suddenly or explode.)
Collocations
explosive device
|explosive material
|explosive gas
|highly explosive
Thèmes
science
|safety
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The factory stored highly explosive chemicals.
- This gas is explosive when mixed with air.
- They handled the explosive material with extreme care.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The bomb was explosive.
- Gasoline is explosive.
- That powder is explosive.
Nom
B1
entity
2
Substance that can blow up
A thing, like a bomb or powder, that can blow up.
Schéma d’usage :
use [an] explosive to [do something]
Erreur fréquente :
Some learners confuse 'explosive' as a noun with 'explosion', which is the event of blowing up.
Synonymes
bomb (A specific device containing explosives, not the substance itself.)
Antonymes
inert material (Material that does not react or explode.)
Collocations
plastic explosive
|military explosives
|handle explosives
Thèmes
science
|safety
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The miners used explosives to break through the rock.
- Police found explosives hidden in the vehicle.
- Dynamite is a common type of explosive.
Exemples pédagogiques
- They used explosives to open the tunnel.
- The police found explosives in the bag.
- Dynamite is an explosive.
adjective
B2
property
3
Likely to react suddenly and strongly
Quick to get angry or show strong feelings suddenly.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone/something] is explosive
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may mix this meaning with the physical sense of 'able to explode', but here it refers to emotions or behavior.
Synonymes
volatile (Often used for people or situations that change mood suddenly.)
Antonymes
calm (Not showing sudden strong emotion or reaction.)
Collocations
explosive temper
|explosive situation
|explosive argument
Thèmes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- He has an explosive temper when provoked.
- The meeting ended in an explosive argument.
- The political situation became explosive after the announcement.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She has an explosive temper.
- The fight was explosive.
- The room was full of explosive anger.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
explosive
API
GB/ɪksplˈoʊsɪv/
US/ɪksplˈoʊsɪv/
Syllabes et accentuation
ex - plos - ive (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (plos)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: explosive
Noun
- Base: explosive
- Plural: explosives
Famille de mots
Forms
explosives
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
non-explosive
adjective
Advanced or less common
explosiveness
noun
Expressions
explosive device
1/ɪksplˈoʊsɪv dɪvˈaɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
Object made to explode and harm
A bomb or similar object made to blow up and cause harm.
Exemples
- The army discovered an explosive device near the border.
- Police safely removed the explosive device from the building.
explosive growth
1/ɪksplˈoʊsɪv ɡɹˈoʊθ/
fixed phrase
Very fast increase or expansion
A very fast and large increase in something.
Exemples
- The company experienced explosive growth after launching its new product.
- There has been explosive growth in smartphone use over the past decade.
explosive situation
1/ɪksplˈoʊsɪv sˌɪt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Situation likely to erupt suddenly
A situation that could quickly turn into a fight or trouble.
Exemples
- The negotiations created an explosive situation between the two sides.
- It was an explosive situation, and everyone was tense.