Definition

1. Noun:

   • An explosion: A violent and destructive release of energy, often from a bomb or dynamite.
   • A strong gust of air or wind: A sudden, powerful rush of air.
   • A loud, sudden sound: A short, very loud noise, like that from a horn or whistle.
   • Intense criticism: A severe verbal attack or harsh disapproval.
   • A very enjoyable experience: (Informal) An event or occasion that is a lot of fun.

2. Verb:

   • To explode or blow up: To destroy or break apart with an explosion.
   • To make a loud, harsh sound: To produce a powerful, noisy sound.
   • To criticize severely: To attack or condemn someone or something harshly.
   • To shoot or fire a weapon: To discharge a gun or similar weapon.
   • To hit or strike powerfully: To hit something with great force.
   • To direct a strong current of air: To apply a powerful stream of air or wind onto something.
   • To wither or damage: To cause plants or hopes to shrivel or be ruined.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The blast from the bomb shattered windows for miles.
  • A cold blast of wind came through the open door.
  • The referee gave a blast on his whistle.
  • The mayor faced a blast from the press over the scandal.
  • Thanks for inviting me; the concert was a blast!

• Verb:

  • Engineers will blast the rock to clear a path for the new road.
  • The car horn blasted, startling the pedestrians.
  • The critic blasted the film for its poor script.
  • The police officer blasted his gun into the air as a warning.
  • The batter blasted the ball over the outfield fence.
  • Please don't blast the air conditioner; it's too cold.
  • The early frost blasted the fruit blossoms.

Advanced Usage

• "Full blast": at maximum power, volume, or intensity.
  • He had the radio on full blast.
• "Blast off": (of a rocket or spacecraft) to leave the ground; to launch.
  • The spacecraft is scheduled to blast off at noon.
• "Blast from the past": something that suddenly reminds you of an earlier time.
  • Hearing that song on the radio was a real blast from the past.

Variants and Related Words

• Blasted (adj): Used to express annoyance. ()
• Blaster (n): A device that produces a blast, such as a sci-fi weapon or a powerful speaker.
• Blast furnace (n): A furnace for smelting iron, using a blast of hot air.
• Blast wave (n): A shock wave from an explosion.

Synonyms

• Noun (explosion): Detonation, burst, eruption.
• Noun (gust): Gust, gale, rush.
• Noun (criticism): Attack, criticism, censure.
• Verb (explode): Explode, blow up, detonate.
• Verb (criticize): Attack, condemn, lambaste.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Blast away: To fire a gun repeatedly.
  • The soldiers blasted away at the enemy position.
• Blast out: To produce (sound or music) very loudly.
  • The stadium speakers were blasting out the team's anthem.

Related Idioms

• (At) full blast: With maximum power or effort.
  • The factory was operating at full blast to meet the deadline.
• Blast it!: An exclamation of anger or frustration.
  • Blast it! I've locked my keys in the car again.

Noun

1. intense adverse criticism
   • Clinton directed his fire at the Republican Party
   • the government has come under attack
   • don't give me any flak
2. a highly pleasurable or exciting experience
   • we had a good time at the party
   • celebrating after the game was a blast
3. an explosion (as of dynamite)
4. a strong current of air
   • the tree was bent almost double by the gust
5. a sudden very loud noise
6. a very long fly ball

Verb

1. shrivel or wither or mature imperfectly
2. shatter as if by explosion
3. criticize harshly or violently
   • The press savaged the new President
   • The critics crucified the author for plagiarizing a famous passage
4. fire a shot
   • the gunman blasted away
5. make with or as if with an explosion
   • blast a tunnel through the Alps
6. create by using explosives
   • blast a passage through the mountain
7. apply a draft or strong wind to to
   • the air conditioning was blasting cold air at us
8. use explosives on
   • The enemy has been shelling us all day
9. hit hard
   • He smashed a 3-run homer
10. make a strident sound
    • She tended to blast when speaking into a microphone