dynamite

[ dahy-nuh-mahyt ]

noun

1. a high explosive, originally consisting of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent substance, now with ammonium nitrate usually replacing the nitroglycerin.
2. any person or thing having a spectacular effect.

verb (used with object)

, dy·na·mit·ed, dy·na·mit·ing.

1. to blow up, shatter, or destroy with dynamite:

   Saboteurs dynamited the dam.

2. to mine or charge with dynamite.

adjective

1. Informal. creating a spectacular or optimum effect; great; topnotch:

   a dynamite idea; a dynamite crew.

dynamite

/ ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. an explosive consisting of nitroglycerine or ammonium nitrate mixed with kieselguhr, sawdust, or wood pulp
2. informal.
   a spectacular or potentially dangerous person or thing

verb

1. tr to mine or blow up with dynamite

dynamite

/ dī′nə-mīt′ /

1. A powerful explosive used in blasting and mining. It typically consists of nitroglycerin and a nitrate (especially sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate), combined with an absorbent material that makes it safer to handle.

Derived Forms

• ˈdynaˌmiter, noun

Other Words From

• dyna·miter noun
• dy·na·mit·ic [dahy-n, uh, -, mit, -ik], adjective
• dyna·miti·cal·ly adverb
• un·dyna·mited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynamite¹

From Swedish dynamit, introduced by Alfred Bernhard Nobel ( def ), its inventor in 1867; dynam-, -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dynamite¹

C19 (coined by Alfred Nobel): from dynamo- + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

"I've got dynamite power in each hand. Once I've hurt someone, I know I can get rid of them," unbeaten Wardley – who won his 18th pro fight – said.

From BBC

Dubois, 27, becomes a top dog in the glamour division, but 'Dynamite' is not a flash in the pan and has long been prophesied for heavyweight stardom.

From BBC

"I glanced at his shorts and it read 'Dynamite'," Sahni says.

From BBC

Even in “Napoleon Dynamite,” Uncle Rico’s plastic food storage container hustle isn’t about domestic bliss; it’s about desperation, clinging to the last vestiges of the American Dream.

From Salon

“The magic that made the band so dynamic. Well, the dynamite was lit. Perry got up in Dave’s face and body checked him,” she wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nitroglycerin