What does bomb mean?
A bomb is an explosive device designed to detonate under specific conditions, causing destruction through blast, heat, or shrapnel. Bombs range from military munitions dropped by aircraft to improvised devices, and the word carries heavy connotations of violence, danger, and sudden catastrophe. It also functions as a verb meaning to attack with explosives, and — informally — to fail completely, as when a film 'bombs' at the box office. In British slang the connotation can flip entirely: something that 'goes down a bomb' is a huge success, while costing 'a bomb' means being very expensive. Derived forms include bomber, bombing, and bombshell, the last used figuratively for a shocking piece of news. The word entered English in the late seventeenth century from French bombe, ultimately tracing back to the Greek bombos, a deep hollow booming noise — so the device was literally named after its sound. Few words manage to be simultaneously technical, terrifying, and casually playful depending on context.
An explosive device designed to detonate on impact, by timer, remotely, or by other triggering mechanism, causing destruction or injury.
"The wartime museum displays a defused bomb dropped during the air raid."
To attack a place or person using explosive devices; also, informally, to fail conspicuously, especially in performance or commerce.
"Enemy forces bombed the bridge to cut off the supply route."
Regular plural formation; used for both physical devices and figurative senses such as 'budget time bombs'.
"The airport was evacuated twice last year because of unattended bags feared to be bombs."
The word 'bomb' comes from Greek 'bombos', meaning a deep booming sound — it was named for its noise before anyone had even built one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bomb
Bomb entered English in the late seventeenth century from French bombe, which itself came from Italian bomba, likely borrowed from the Latin bombus, meaning a deep booming or buzzing noise. The Latin term derives from the ancient Greek bombos, describing a hollow, resonant sound. Related words sharing this root include bombard, bombast, and bombinate, all connected either to loud noise or explosive devices.
Related word forms
How bomb is actually used
The verb sense 'to fail badly' is chiefly North American; in informal British English, 'bomb' can paradoxically mean 'to succeed spectacularly' (as in 'the show went down a bomb'). The noun is neutral register but carries strong connotations of violence and destruction in most contexts; figurative uses (a financial 'time bomb') borrow that sense of looming danger.
Easily confused with bomb
A tomb is a grave or burial chamber, while a bomb is an explosive device — the words differ in both spelling and vowel sound.