megahit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “megahit” mean?
An extremely successful and popular product, especially in entertainment (film, song, game).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An extremely successful and popular product, especially in entertainment (film, song, game).
Any venture or creation that achieves massive commercial success and widespread recognition, often exceeding expectations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. Slightly more common in American media, but well-established in UK journalism.
Connotations
Both varieties carry connotations of commercialism, hype, and mainstream appeal. Can be used earnestly or slightly cynically.
Frequency
Moderately frequent in entertainment news and business analysis in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “megahit” in a Sentence
[The film/game/song] was a megahit.[Studio/Producer] has another megahit on their hands.They are hoping to replicate the success of their previous megahit.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megahit” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The studio's animated film was the family megahit of the year.
- Many predicted the single would be a megahit.
American English
- The streaming service is banking on the new series being a megahit.
- That video game turned into an unexpected megahit.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe a product line or release that drives significant revenue.
Academic
Rare; might appear in media studies or cultural analysis.
Everyday
Used when discussing very popular films, songs, or trends.
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megahit”
- Using it for moderately successful things (overstatement).
- Spelling as two words: 'mega hit'.
- Using it in formal reports.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as one word: 'megahit'.
No, it is only a noun. You cannot 'megahit' something.
A 'megahit' implies a significantly larger scale of success, both commercially and culturally, than a standard 'hit'.
It is informal and journalistic. It is common in headlines and entertainment news but not in formal reports or academic writing.
An extremely successful and popular product, especially in entertainment (film, song, game).
Megahit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmeɡəhɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmeɡəhɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The next big thing (potential megahit)”
- “Strike gold (create a megahit)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MEGA (huge) + HIT (successful song/film). A HUGE success.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT (a 'hit'), with the scale magnified ('mega').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'megahit' LEAST appropriate?