Words / B2

ik-SPLOHS-iv/ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/

Explosive means able or likely to explode: an explosive gas; explosive decompression. As a noun, a substance that explodes. It also means sudden and intense: explosive growth. Explode is the verb (already in the dictionary); dynamite is a named type (this batch); volatile is of fumes. Name the explosive in the H&S brief, then the UN class. Mix-up: explosive vs explore (already in the dictionary); extensive; do not write explosive for a slow steady rise in the table.

Meaning

Able or likely to explode; as a noun, a substance that explodes; also sudden and intense (explosive growth).

Examples

• “Name the explosive in the H&S brief, then the UN class; explosive growth still needs the % and the years.”
• “Name the explosive in the H&S brief, then the UN class, not a film caption.”
• “Explosive growth still needs the % and the years, which is the sudden-increase sense — quote both figures.”

Good to know

an explosive gas / device; an explosive (noun); explosive growth. Verb: explode (already in B1). Related: dynamite (this batch). Trap: explore / a slow rise. Chemistry, H&S, and economics. Likely to explode, a blasting substance, or sudden and intense — quote the class or the %.

Near in meaning

volatile, blasting, sudden

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