Definition

1. Noun:
   • An unusually successful commercial hit: A "blockbuster" is a product, especially a movie, play, recording, or novel, that achieves extraordinary and widespread popularity and generates massive sales or revenue.
   • A large bomb: A "blockbuster" is a very large bomb designed to cause destruction over a wide area, such as an entire city block.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Successful Hit):
  • The new superhero film is expected to be a summer blockbuster.
  • Her latest novel became a blockbuster, selling millions of copies in its first month.
• Noun (Large Bomb):
  • During the war, blockbusters were used to devastate large urban areas.
  • The museum displayed a replica of a blockbuster used in the 1940s.

Advanced Usage

• "Blockbuster deal": An exceptionally large and significant business transaction.
  • The two tech giants announced a blockbuster deal to merge their divisions.
• "Blockbuster season": The time of year, typically summer, when many major, high-budget films are released.
  • Studios save their most expensive movies for the blockbuster season.

Variants and Related Words

• Blockbuster can also be used attributively as an adjective.
  • A blockbuster movie. (A movie that is a blockbuster.)
  • A blockbuster exhibition. (An exhibition that attracts a huge number of visitors.)
• Blockbusting (adj): Having the qualities of a blockbuster; hugely successful.
  • The director is known for his blockbusting action films.

Synonyms

• Smash hit: A very successful thing, especially a song or show.
• Megahit: An extremely successful hit.
• Bombshell (for news, but not for entertainment): A startling piece of news.
• Earthquake bomb (for the explosive): A type of very large bomb.

Related Phrases

• "To open with a blockbuster weekend": For a film to earn an exceptionally large amount of money in its first weekend of release.
  • The franchise's latest installment opened with a blockbuster weekend, breaking records.

Related Idioms

• "A blockbuster of a [thing]": Used informally to emphasize that something is very impressive, impactful, or successful.
  • The investigative report was a blockbuster of a story, leading to major political changes.

Noun

1. an unusually successful hit with widespread popularity and huge sales (especially a movie or play or recording or novel)
2. a large bomb used to demolish extensive areas (as a city block)