blasting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Predominantly informal/neutral in most contexts; technical/formal in mining/construction contexts.
Quick answer
What does “blasting” mean?
The action of destroying, breaking apart, or attacking something with sudden, violent force, often using explosives or loud noise.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action of destroying, breaking apart, or attacking something with sudden, violent force, often using explosives or loud noise.
Can refer to the act of criticizing severely, the loud playing of music, the process of propelling something with a stream of air/sand/water, or a period of intense and efficient activity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. In mining/quarrying contexts, both use it identically. The verb 'blast' is slightly more frequent in AmE informal speech ('They blasted the policy').
Connotations
Similar connotations of force, loudness, and destruction in both. The exclamation 'Blast!' as mild curse is more characteristic of older, British English.
Frequency
Equally common in technical and informal registers in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “blasting” in a Sentence
[Subject] + is/was blasting + [Object] (e.g., They are blasting the rock).[Subject] + is/was blasting + [Object] + with + [Instrument] (e.g., He was blasting the rust with a jet of sand).[Subject] + is/was blasting + [Complement] (e.g., Music was blasting from the car).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blasting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The crew are blasting the old chimney stack tomorrow.
- He was blasting his horn in the traffic jam.
American English
- The construction team is blasting through bedrock for the new subway line.
- They blasted the new single on the radio all summer.
adverb
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) He ran blasting fast.
- N/A
American English
- (Rare/Non-standard) The car took off blasting quick.
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; possibly in 'blasting through targets' metaphorically for aggressive sales.
Academic
Used in geology/engineering for processes like 'frost blasting' or 'abrasive blasting'.
Everyday
Common for loud music ('The neighbours are blasting music again') or strong criticism.
Technical
Core term in mining, quarrying, and surface preparation for 'controlled blasting' or 'sandblasting'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blasting”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blasting”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blasting”
- Using 'blasting' as a countable noun (*'three blastings') – usually uncountable.
- Confusing 'blasting' (activity) with 'blast' (the sudden event or the gust of wind).
- Overusing the metaphorical 'criticize' sense in formal writing where 'condemn' or 'denounce' is better.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While a core meaning involves explosives (rock blasting), it commonly refers to loud sound (music blasting), forceful streams (sandblasting), or severe criticism.
It's unnatural. 'Blasting' is usually an uncountable activity noun. Prefer 'I did some blasting on the wall' or 'I blasted the wall'.
'Exploding' focuses on the object bursting apart from internal pressure. 'Blasting' focuses on the deliberate use of an external force (explosives, air, sound) to destroy, break, or attack something.
It is context-dependent. Negative in criticism/destruction contexts, neutral/technical in industrial processes, and potentially positive in contexts of energetic fun ('blasting through a workout', 'blasting our favourite tunes').
The action of destroying, breaking apart, or attacking something with sudden, violent force, often using explosives or loud noise.
Blasting is usually predominantly informal/neutral in most contexts; technical/formal in mining/construction contexts. in register.
Blasting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblɑː.stɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblæs.tɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Blasting off (starting a rocket/leaving quickly)”
- “A blasting (severe reprimand)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BLAST of wind so strong it is blowing the TIN roof off a shed = BLAST + TIN + G (for 'going').
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS PHYSICAL FORCE/DESTRUCTION (e.g., 'The reviewer blasted the film').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'blasting' LEAST likely to be used?