adjective
Able to explode or used to cause an explosion.
The police found an explosive device.
Workers removed the explosive material safely.
Common phrases & grammar
explosive device · explosive material · explosive charge
an + explosive + noun
American English
How to pronounce explosive
adjective · nounB2Common word
ihksPLOHsihv
/ɪksˈpʰloʊ.sɪv/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Able to explode or used to cause an explosion.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
adjective
Increasing very quickly and by a large amount.
The company had explosive growth last year.
The city has seen an explosive increase in housing prices.
Good to know
Here, explosive means extremely fast or large, not dangerous.
Common phrases & grammar
explosive growth · explosive increase · explosive expansion
have + explosive growth
adjective
Likely to cause a sudden, strong, and often angry or violent reaction.
He has an explosive temper.
The argument became explosive very quickly.
Common phrases & grammar
explosive temper · explosive argument · explosive situation
be + explosive
nountechnicalless common
A substance that can explode and is used to make explosions.
The team found explosives near the building.
Only trained workers may handle an explosive.
Common phrases & grammar
high explosive · plastic explosive · explosives expert
use + explosives
Useful expressions
A very fast and large increase.
The app saw explosive growth after the update.
A tendency to become angry very suddenly and strongly.
His explosive temper makes meetings difficult.
A soft explosive material that can be shaped.
The guards found plastic explosive in the bag.