noun
Uncommon
dynamite
DUH-ih-nuh-muh-iht
Dynamite (noun) means a powerful explosive made from nitroglycerin absorbed into a stabilising material, used for blasting and demolition. Example: “Miners used dynamite to clear the rockfall blocking the tunnel.”
noun
1
A powerful explosive made from nitroglycerin absorbed into a stabilising material, used for blasting and demolition.
"Miners used dynamite to clear the rockfall blocking the tunnel."
2
Something remarkably exciting, impressive, or dangerous.
"Her debut album turned out to be pure dynamite."
verb
1
To blow something up using dynamite or a similar explosive.
"The crew dynamited the old bridge to make way for a new one."
How to use dynamite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong explosive — or, informally, anything thrillingly powerful or impressive.
Common pairings
stick of dynamite
pure dynamite
dynamite a building
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Word forms
- Plural
- dynamites
- Third person singular
- dynamites
- Past tense
- dynamited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Miners used _____ to clear the rockfall blocking the tunnel.
Etymology
Coined in 1867 by Alfred Nobel, built from Ancient Greek dúnamis ("power") plus the suffix "-ite".
Class of 1867
dynamite joined the language around 1867.
See the full Class of 1867 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for dynamite
See all rhymes for dynamite →Frequently asked questions
What does “dynamite” mean?
The word “dynamite” means a powerful explosive made from nitroglycerin absorbed into a stabilising material, used for blasting and demolition. In plain terms, a strong explosive — or, informally, anything thrillingly powerful or impressive.
How do you pronounce “dynamite”?
“Dynamite” is pronounced DUH-ih-nuh-muh-iht (/ˈdaɪ.nəˌmaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dynamite” in a sentence?
Here is “dynamite” used in a sentence: “Miners used dynamite to clear the rockfall blocking the tunnel.”
What is another word for “dynamite”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dynamite” include TNT.
What part of speech is “dynamite”?
Depending on how it is used, “dynamite” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dynamite” come from?
The word “dynamite” dates back to around 1867 and comes from Ancient Greek. Coined in 1867 by Alfred Nobel, built from Ancient Greek dúnamis ("power") plus the suffix "-ite".
Is “dynamite” a common word?
“Dynamite” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dynamite” have?
“Dynamite” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a powerful explosive made from nitroglycerin absorbed into a stabilising material, used for blasting and demolition.
What's the difference between dynamite and TNT?
Dynamite is an explosive made by absorbing nitroglycerin into a stabilizing material, while TNT is a specific chemical compound used as an explosive in its own right. The two are often confused because both are used for blasting and demolition, but they are chemically different substances.
Why do people describe a person or performance as "dynamite"?
Used informally, dynamite describes something remarkably exciting, impressive, or dangerous, such as a dynamite performance or a dynamite idea. This figurative use borrows the explosive force of the literal substance to convey strong impact.
Can "dynamite" be used as a verb?
Yes, to dynamite something means to blow it up using dynamite or a similar explosive, as in "they dynamited the old bridge." This verb use is common in contexts involving demolition or mining.
