dynamiter

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dy•na•mite /ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt/   n., v., -mit•ed, -mit•ing, adj. 
n. [uncountable]

1. Chemistry a powerful explosive made with ammonium nitrate.
2. any person or thing having a spectacular explosive effect:
   That story was political dynamite.

v. [~ + object]

3. to blow up, shatter, or destroy with dynamite:
   The commandos dynamited the bridge.

adj. 

4. Informal Terms wonderful or exciting:
   a dynamite idea.

See -dyn-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dy•na•mite  (dī′nə mīt′), n., v., -mit•ed, -mit•ing, adj. 
n. 

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.

v.t. 

3. to blow up, shatter, or destroy with dynamite:
   Saboteurs dynamited the dam.
4. to mine or charge with dynamite.

adj. 

5. Informal Terms creating a spectacular or optimum effect; great;
   topnotch:
   a dynamite idea; a dynamite crew.

• Swedish dynamit, introduced by A. B. Nobel, its inventor; see dynam-, -ite¹
• 1867

dy′na•mit′er, n. 
dy•na•mit•ic  (dī′nə mit′ik), adj.  dy′na•mit′i•cal•ly, adv.