explosive

BrE /ɪkˈspləʊsɪv/ AmE /ɪkˈsploʊsɪv/

adjective, noun en → es

1 CHEMICAL REACTION [noun] B2

a substance that causes an explosion when it burns or is set off by a detonator

explosivo, explosiva

Collocations explosive material · explosive device

  • The police found an explosive device in the building.

    La policía encontró un dispositivo explosivo en el edificio.

2 FORCEFUL [adjective] B2

very powerful or sudden, especially when it is unexpected and causes a lot of damage

explosivo, poderoso, violento

Collocations explosive growth · explosive reaction

  • The company experienced explosive growth in the first quarter.

    La empresa experimentó un crecimiento explosivo en el primer trimestre.

3 VERBAL [adjective] C1

likely to cause arguments or violence, especially if someone says something that upsets another person

explosivo (en palabras), provocativo

Collocations explosive comments · explosive situation

  • His explosive comments caused a lot of tension.

    Sus comentarios explosivos causaron mucha tensión.