Words / B2

DYN-uh-myt/ˈdaɪnəmaɪt/

Dynamite is a powerful explosive used in blasting (usually uncountable as the substance): a stick of dynamite; dynamite charge. It is also informal for something very impressive: dynamite news. Explosive is the broader class (this batch); TNT is another named explosive; blast is the event. Dynamite in the quarry case still needs the charge mass. Mix-up: dynamite vs dynamic; dynamo; do not write dynamite for a firework unless the source names the substance.

Meaning

A powerful explosive used in blasting; also, informally, something very impressive (usually uncountable as the substance).

Examples

• “Dynamite in the quarry case still needs the charge mass, the geology paper said, not a film caption.”
• “Dynamite news in the media extract is the informal-impressive sense — still name the figure it reports.”

Good to know

a stick of dynamite; dynamite charge / blasting; dynamite (informal: impressive). Broader: explosive (this batch). Trap: dynamic / a firework not named as dynamite. Geography, chemistry, and news. A blasting explosive — quote the mass, not a slogan.

Near in meaning

explosive, blasting gel, TNT

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