dynamite

[ dahy-nuh-mahyt ]
/ ˈdaɪ nəˌmaɪt /

noun

a high explosive, originally consisting of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent substance, now with ammonium nitrate usually replacing the nitroglycerin.
any person or thing having a spectacular effect.

verb (used with object), dy·na·mit·ed, dy·na·mit·ing.

to blow up, shatter, or destroy with dynamite: Saboteurs dynamited the dam.
to mine or charge with dynamite.

adjective

Informal. creating a spectacular or optimum effect; great; topnotch: a dynamite idea; a dynamite crew.

Origin of dynamite

1867; < Swedish dynamit, introduced by A. B. Nobel, its inventor; see dyna(m)-, -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM dynamite

dy·na·mit·er, noun dy·na·mit·ic [dahy-nuh-mit-ik] /ˌdaɪ nəˈmɪt ɪk/, adjective dy·na·mit·i·cal·ly, adverb un·dy·na·mit·ed, adjective

Words nearby dynamite

dynamic spatial reconstructor, dynamic splint, dynamic strength, dynamics, dynamism, dynamite, dynamize, dynamo, dynamo-, dynamoelectric, dynamogenesis

Example sentences from the Web for dynamitic

  • She resembled a person who had recently taken part in a dynamitic explosion.

    Poppy |Cynthia Stockley

  • Hence, Ireland is in a state so explosive that it can only be appropriately described by the term "dynamitic."

    Black and White |Timothy Thomas Fortune

British Dictionary definitions for dynamitic

dynamite
/ (ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt) /

noun

an explosive consisting of nitroglycerine or ammonium nitrate mixed with kieselguhr, sawdust, or wood pulp
informal a spectacular or potentially dangerous person or thing

verb

(tr) to mine or blow up with dynamite

Derived forms of dynamite

dynamiter, noun

Word Origin for dynamite

C19 (coined by Alfred Nobel): from dynamo- + -ite 1

Scientific definitions for dynamitic

dynamite
[ dī′nə-mīt′ ]

A powerful explosive used in blasting and mining. It typically consists of nitroglycerin and a nitrate (especially sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate), combined with an absorbent material that makes it safer to handle.