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REFERENCE

bomb

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈbɑm// UK //bˈɒm// bomb
  1. 1 explosive weapon (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a weapon designed to explode and cause damage or injury.

    an explosive device used as a weapon, typically delivered by aircraft, artillery, or placement.

    Example

    The old building was destroyed by a bomb during the war.

    Example

    The disposal unit was called in to neutralise an unexploded bomb discovered by construction workers at the city centre site.
  2. 2 a failure (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal American English

    something that is a complete failure, especially a movie or a play.

    a project, production, or commercial venture that fails completely or is unpopular.

    Example

    The new sci-fi movie was a total bomb at the box office.

    Example

    Despite the massive marketing budget, the product launch was a complete bomb, failing to capture even a fraction of the projected market share.
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  1. 3 a lot of money (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal British English

    a very large amount of money.

    a significant sum of money; often used with the verb 'cost'.

    Example

    That new sports car must have cost a bomb.

    Example

    Renovating the Victorian estate cost a bomb, but the increase in property value eventually justified the initial investment.
    • pittance
  2. 4 to attack with explosives (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to drop bombs on a place or person.

    to attack a target using explosive devices; to bombard.

    Example

    The air force began to bomb the enemy's supply lines.

    Example

    The strategic decision to bomb the industrial hubs was intended to cripple the opposition's manufacturing capabilities during the final months of the conflict.
  3. 5 to fail badly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal American English

    to fail completely, especially in an exam or a performance.

    to perform very poorly or fail dismally in a specific task or event.

    Example

    I think I bombed my history exam because I didn't study enough.

    Example

    The comedian bombed during the late-night set, as none of his jokes seemed to resonate with the tired audience.
  4. 6 to move very fast (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal British English

    to move or travel at a very high speed.

    to travel or move with great velocity.

    Example

    The cyclists were bombing down the hill at sixty kilometres per hour.

    Example

    We were bombing along the motorway when we suddenly realised we had missed the exit for the airport.
  5. 7 excellent (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Slang American English

    very good, cool, or impressive.

    excellent or highly impressive; used as a general term of approval.

    Example

    That burger we had last night was totally bomb.

    Example

    The production quality on their latest album is bomb, showing a level of maturity the band lacked in their earlier releases.
Origin

From French bombe, from Italian bomba, from Latin bombus (“a booming sound”), from Ancient Greek βόμβος (bómbos, “booming, humming, buzzing”), imitative of the sound itself. Doublet of bombe. Compare boom.

Word family
Idioms3 entries

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