dynamite
B2Informal/Technical
Definition
Meaning
A high explosive consisting of nitroglycerin absorbed in a porous material such as kieselguhr, often packaged in sticks.
Something or someone that is extremely impressive, effective, exciting, or potentially disruptive.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary sense refers to the physical explosive. The extended, figurative sense ('outstanding,' 'explosive') is common in informal contexts, especially in AmE. As a verb, it means to blow up with dynamite or, figuratively, to ruin/destroy something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Figurative use ('fantastic,' 'outstanding') is more prevalent and established in American English. UK usage leans more towards the literal explosive or the verb sense.
Connotations
UK: Primarily literal/destructive. US: Can be very positive (e.g., 'She's dynamite!') or destructive.
Frequency
The noun 'dynamite' is of similar frequency in both varieties. The figurative adjective is significantly more frequent in AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[someone] dynamites [something][something] is dynamiteThat's dynamite!to be dynamite at [doing something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sit/like/be on a powder keg (similar risk)”
- “dynamite comes in small packages (metaphor for potent small things)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new sales figures are absolute dynamite; we're projecting record revenue.
Academic
The discovery of the hidden manuscripts was intellectual dynamite, challenging the field's core assumptions.
Everyday
Have you tried that new pizzeria? Their sourdough crust is dynamite!
Technical
The miners carefully placed the dynamite charges along the predetermined fault lines.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old regime dynamited the bridge during their retreat.
- The scandal completely dynamited his chances of promotion.
American English
- The crew will dynamite that unsafe cliff face tomorrow.
- Her leaked email dynamited the fragile truce between the departments.
adverb
British English
- The team played dynamite in the first half.
American English
- She sang dynamite at the audition.
adjective
British English
- Their new single is a dynamite track.
- He made a dynamite argument in the debate.
American English
- You have to see her dance—she's dynamite!
- This is a dynamite chili recipe, trust me.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The workers use dynamite to break rocks.
- Dynamite is very dangerous.
- They needed special permission to transport the dynamite.
- The film's finale was pure dynamite!
- The journalist's investigation was political dynamite, forcing several resignations.
- The old factory was dynamited to make way for the new park.
- His testimony in court was sheer dynamite, undermining the prosecution's entire case.
- The policy, while popular, is social dynamite waiting for a spark.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Dyna-mite: Think 'mighty power' (from Greek 'dynamis' = power).
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSITY/POWER IS AN EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCE (e.g., 'His performance was explosive,' 'That idea is dynamite').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation for the figurative sense. Russian 'динамит' is almost exclusively literal. Do not say *'Она динамит' for 'She's fantastic.' Use 'она потрясающая,' 'она супер.'
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dynamite' as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., *'three dynamites' – say 'three sticks of dynamite').
- Overusing the figurative adjective in formal contexts.
- Confusing 'dynamic' (energetic, changing) with 'dynamite' (explosive).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'dynamite' used in its most common FIGURATIVE sense in American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially in American English. It informally means 'extremely good, impressive, or exciting' (e.g., 'a dynamite performance').
'Dynamic' refers to energy, force, or positive change (e.g., a dynamic leader). 'Dynamite' is literally an explosive or figuratively something powerfully effective (good or bad). They share a Greek root ('dynamis' = power) but are not synonyms.
For the physical substance, no. It's usually an uncountable noun. You say 'a stick/case of dynamite,' not *'a dynamite.' As a figurative adjective, it doesn't take 'a' (e.g., 'She's dynamite').
The literal sense is neutral/technical. The figurative senses (adjective, verb) are firmly informal. Avoid using 'dynamite' to mean 'excellent' in formal writing.
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