explosive
UK: ɪkˈspləʊsɪv | US: ɪkˈsploʊsɪv
adj. capable of causing an explosion
adj. likely to erupt violently (e.g., emotions, situations)
n. a substance that can explode
explosive = ex<out> + plos<burst> + ive<adjective suffix>
- ex: Latin prefix meaning "out" or "away."
- plos: Derived from Latin plaudere (to clap, burst), later evolving into plodere/plos- (to explode).
- ive: Suffix forming adjectives indicating tendency or capacity.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin explodere (to drive out by clapping, later "to explode"), combining ex- (out) and plaudere (to burst). Over time, plaudere shifted to plodere in Late Latin, eventually giving rise to explosive in English (17th century) to describe things capable of bursting outward violently.
The chemical compound is highly explosive.
His explosive temper startled everyone.
Demolition experts handle explosives with care.
The speech triggered an explosive reaction.
The volcano’s explosive eruption devastated the region.