Word
Definitions
01explosive material
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science
n. a powerful substance used for blowing up rocks or buildings.
n. a high explosive consisting of nitroglycerine mixed with an absorbent material. Usually uncountable in this sense.
“The construction crew used dynamite to clear a path through the mountain for the new road.”
“The engineers calculated the exact amount of dynamite required to collapse the derelict cooling tower without damaging the adjacent power station.”
02something exciting or dangerous
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Informal
n. something that is very exciting, impressive, or potentially dangerous.
n. a person, event, or piece of information likely to cause a major reaction or excitement. Informal and figurative in use.
“The new evidence in the trial is absolute dynamite and could change everything.”
“The journalist knew the leaked documents were political dynamite, capable of toppling the administration if published before the election.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'to be'.
03excellent or powerful
C1 · Advanced Informal · Slang
adj. extremely good, exciting, or impressive.
adj. denoting something exceptionally effective, exciting, or aesthetically pleasing. Predominantly informal register.
“The band gave a dynamite performance that had the whole crowd dancing.”
“The marketing team delivered a dynamite presentation that secured the contract despite stiff competition from larger agencies.”
Etymology
Coined by Alfred Nobel in 1867. Ultimately from Ancient Greek δύναμις (dúnamis, “power”) + -ite, most likely under the influence of dynamo or dynamic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. dynamite charge
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/dynamite
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR