bombshell

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈbɒmʃɛl/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈbɑmˌʃɛl/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(bom′shel′)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
bomb•shell /ˈbɑmˌʃɛl/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. something or someone having a sensational effect:His resignation came as a bombshell.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
bomb•shell  (bom′shel′),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Militarya bomb.
  2. something or someone having a sudden and sensational effect:The news of his resignation was a bombshell.
  • 1700–10; 1925–30 for def. 2; bomb + shell

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
bombshell / ˈbɒmˌʃɛl/
  1. (esp formerly) a bomb or artillery shell
  2. a shocking or unwelcome surprise
'bombshell' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Harlow

Forum discussions with the word(s) "bombshell" in the title:


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