bomb

/bɔm/

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Explanation of the Word "Bomb"

Part of Speech:
- Noun
- Verb

Basic Meanings:

1. As a Noun:

   • Explosive Device: A bomb is a device that is designed to explode and cause damage.
   • Failure: In informal language, a "bomb" can refer to something that fails badly, like a performance, a movie, or an event.

2. As a Verb:

   • To Fail: To "bomb" means to fail at something, especially a test or an important task.
   • To Attack with Explosives: It can also mean to attack a place by dropping bombs.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "bomb" as a noun when talking about explosives or when describing a failure in a casual context.
• Use "bomb" as a verb when discussing failure, especially in academic or performance contexts, or when referring to military actions.

Advanced Usage:

• In a more technical sense, a bomb can refer to a strong sealed vessel used in scientific experiments to measure heat during combustion. This is a specialized usage typically found in chemistry.

Word Variants:

• Bombing (Noun/Verb): The act of dropping bombs or the process of failing.

  • Example: The bombing of the city caused widespread destruction.
  • Example: I think I might bomb this exam if I don’t study harder.

• Bomber (Noun): An aircraft designed to carry and drop bombs.

  • Example: The bomber flew over the target area.

Different Meanings:

• Slang: In American slang, "bomb" can also refer to something that is very bad or disappointing in general.
  • Example: That party was a bomb; nobody showed up.

Synonyms:

• For explosive device: explosive, shell, missile
• For failure: flop, disaster, dud, turkey (informal)
• For to fail: flunk, mess up, crash

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Bomb out": To fail completely or to be unsuccessful.

  • Example: After bombing out on his first attempt, he decided to try again.

• "Drop a bombshell": To reveal shocking news or information.

  • Example: The announcement of the merger was a bombshell to everyone in the company.

Summary:

The word "bomb" has multiple meanings and can be used in different contexts. It can refer to an explosive device, describe a failure in informal situations, or indicate a military action.

Academic

Verb

1. fail to get a passing grade
   • She studied hard but failed nevertheless
   • Did I fail the test?
2. throw bombs at or attack with bombs
   • The Americans bombed Dresden

Noun

1. an event that fails badly or is totally ineffectual
   • the first experiment was a real turkey
   • the meeting was a dud as far as new business was concerned
2. strong sealed vessel for measuring heat of combustion
3. an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions

Synonyms

• fail
• flunk
• flush it
• bombard
• turkey
• dud
• bomb calorimeter