Word
torpedo
Phoneticstor·pe·do, stress on the second syllable
US/tɔɹˈpiˌdoʊ/
UK/tɔːpˈiːdəʊ/
Definitions
01underwater explosive weapon
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Military Technical
n. A long, thin weapon that travels underwater to blow up ships or submarines. It looks like a small metal whale and is fired from a boat or plane.
n. A self-propelled underwater missile designed to be launched from a submarine, surface vessel, or aircraft. It contains an explosive warhead and is steered toward a target by internal guidance systems.
“The submarine fired a torpedo at the enemy ship during the battle.”
“Modern naval strategy relies heavily on the deployment of acoustic-homing torpedoes to neutralize sub-surface threats.”
Usage
Often used with verbs like fire, launch, or deploy.
Synonyms
02aggressive racing maneuver
C1 · Advanced Countable noun FORMULA 1 Informal
n. In car racing, a driver who tries to pass another car too fast and crashes into them, often by diving into a corner without control.
n. A metaphorical term used in Formula 1 and motor racing to describe a driver who attempts an overly ambitious or reckless divebomb overtake, typically resulting in a collision with the car ahead.
“The commentator called him a torpedo after he crashed into the leader at the first turn.”
“The stewards investigated the incident, concluding that the driver acted like a torpedo by failing to brake for the apex while attempting the overtake.”
Usage
Commonly used as a derogatory nickname for drivers who lack spatial awareness during overtaking.
Pitfall
He torpedoed into the corner.
He acted like a torpedo in the corner.
While 'torpedo' can be a verb, in this specific racing context, it is most frequently used as a noun to label the driver or the specific act of the crash.
Real-World Examples
“The torpedo, described as "heavyweight" by UK officials, is "designed to sink ships and deep diving submarines", Downing Street said.” “Before his death in 1826, the inventor developed a torpedo that could be transported behind a whaleboat, and he worked on designs for other underwater mines.” “It had been torpedoed by a US submarine off Sri Lanka's southern coast on 4 March.” “The submarine struck the ship with a torpedo, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, resulting in “quiet death”.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin torpēdō (“a torpedo fish; numbness, torpidity, electric ray”), from torpeō (“to be stiff, numb, torpid; to be astounded; to be inactive”) + -ēdō (noun suffix), from Proto-Indo-European ster- (“stiff”). In the military sense coined by Robert Fulton in 1805. Cognate with Old English steorfan (“to die”), Ancient Greek στερεός (stereós, “solid”), Lithuanian tirpstu (“to become rigid”), Old Church Slavonic трупети (trupeti). * (type of car): From 1908, after "the Torpedo", a car designed by Captain Theo Masui.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domains
- 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
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