# bomb

/ˈbɑm/ (US) · /bˈɒm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bomb
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. explosive weapon

noun · CEFR B1

a weapon designed to explode and cause damage or injury.

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

- The old building was destroyed by a bomb during the war.
- The disposal unit was called in to neutralise an unexploded bomb discovered by construction workers at the city centre site.

### 2. a failure

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · American English

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

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

- The new sci-fi movie was a total bomb at the box office.
- Despite the massive marketing budget, the product launch was a complete bomb, failing to capture even a fraction of the projected market share.

### 3. a lot of money

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · British English

a very large amount of money.

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

- That new sports car must have cost a bomb.
- Renovating the Victorian estate cost a bomb, but the increase in property value eventually justified the initial investment.

### 4. to attack with explosives

verb · CEFR B1

to drop bombs on a place or person.

For teachers: to attack a target using explosive devices; to bombard.

- The air force began to bomb the enemy's supply lines.
- The strategic decision to bomb the industrial hubs was intended to cripple the opposition's manufacturing capabilities during the final months of the conflict.

### 5. to fail badly

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal · American English

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

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

- I think I bombed my history exam because I didn't study enough.
- The comedian bombed during the late-night set, as none of his jokes seemed to resonate with the tired audience.

### 6. to move very fast

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · British English

to move or travel at a very high speed.

For teachers: to travel or move with great velocity.

- The cyclists were bombing down the hill at sixty kilometres per hour.
- We were bombing along the motorway when we suddenly realised we had missed the exit for the airport.

### 7. excellent

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · American English

very good, cool, or impressive.

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

- That burger we had last night was totally bomb.
- The production quality on their latest album is bomb, showing a level of maturity the band lacked in their earlier releases.

## Examples

- The old building was destroyed by a bomb.
- The director was shocked when his big-budget movie turned out to be a total bomb at the box office.
- While the historical site was protected from the aerial bomb, the surrounding infrastructure suffered significant damage that took years to repair.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.