explosive

UK: /ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/ US: /ɪkˈsploʊsɪv/ ,(ik splō′siv)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ex•plo•sive /ɪkˈsploʊsɪv/   adj. 

1. tending or serving to explode:
   an explosive gas; an explosive temper.
2. relating to or of the nature of an explosion:
   explosive violence.
3. likely to lead to violence, anger, or hostility:
   That subject is an explosive issue for many.

n. [countable* uncountable]

4. an explosive agent or substance.

ex•plo•sive•ly, adv. 
ex•plo•sive•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ex•plo•sive  (ik splō′siv), adj. 

1. tending or serving to explode:
   an explosive temper; Nitroglycerin is an explosive substance.
2. pertaining to or of the nature of an explosion:
   explosive violence.
3. likely to lead to violence or hostility:
   an explosive issue.
4. Phonetics plosive.

n. 

5. an explosive agent or substance, as dynamite.
6. Phonetics plosive.

• explos(ion) + -ive 1660–70

ex•plo′sive•ly, adv. 
ex•plo′sive•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

explosive / ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/ adjective

1. of, involving, or characterized by an explosion or explosions
2. capable of exploding or tending to explode
3. potentially violent or hazardous; dangerous: an explosive situation
4. another word for plosive

noun

1. a substance that decomposes rapidly under certain conditions with the production of gases, which expand by the heat of the reaction. The energy released is used in firearms, blasting, and rocket propulsion

exˈplosiveness noun