# bombed

/ˈbɑmd/ (US) · /bˈɒmd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bombed
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. attacked with explosives

verb · CEFR B1

attacked or damaged using bombs.

For teachers: subjected to an attack involving explosive devices. Transitive in this sense.

- The old factory was bombed during the war and never rebuilt.
- The strategic port was bombed repeatedly throughout the winter, leaving the supply lines in a state of total collapse.

### 2. failed completely

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

failed very badly, especially a performance or a test.

For teachers: failed significantly or was received very poorly by an audience. Intransitive in this sense.

- I thought my jokes were funny, but I totally bombed on stage last night.
- Despite the massive marketing budget, the film bombed at the box office during its opening weekend.

### 3. very drunk or high

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang

extremely affected by alcohol or drugs.

For teachers: heavily intoxicated by alcohol or under the influence of controlled substances.

- He stayed at home because he got way too bombed at the party.
- The group arrived at the diner looking completely bombed, much to the annoyance of the late-night staff.

Usage: Usually follows a linking verb like 'get' or 'be'.

## Examples

- I totally bombed my history exam yesterday.
- The comedian bombed during the late-night show because none of the audience members understood his jokes.
- Despite weeks of intensive rehearsals and high expectations from the producers, the play bombed on opening night, leading to its cancellation after only three performances.

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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.