noun
bomb
bom
noun
1
An explosive device designed to cause damage or destruction.
"The bomb was defused just in time."
verb
1
To attack a place using bombs.
"Enemy planes bombed the harbor at dawn."
2
To fail badly, especially a performance or attempt.
"The comedian completely bombed at his first show."
adj
1
Informal for excellent or impressive.
"That new track is the bomb."
How to Use Bomb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn explosive device, or (informally) to fail badly or to be excellent, depending on context.
When to use it
The "fail badly" and "the bomb" (meaning great) senses are informal.
Common pairings
drop a bomb
bomb threat
bomb a test
Word Forms
more bomb comparative, bombed past tense, Bombs plural, bombs singular, most bomb superlative
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The _____ was defused just in time.
Etymology
From French bombe, from Italian bomba, ultimately from Greek bómbos, "a booming sound" — imitating the noise of an explosion.