WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ex•plo•sive /ɪkˈsploʊsɪv/USA pronunciation
adj.
n. [countable* uncountable]
ex•plo•sive•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- tending or serving to explode:an explosive gas; an explosive temper.
- relating to or of the nature of an explosion:explosive violence.
- likely to lead to violence, anger, or hostility:That subject is an explosive issue for many.
n. [countable* uncountable]
- an explosive agent or substance.
ex•plo•sive•ness, n. [uncountable]
ex•plo•sive
(ik splō′siv),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
ex•plo′sive•ly, adv.
ex•plo′sive•ness, n.
- tending or serving to explode:an explosive temper; Nitroglycerin is an explosive substance.
- pertaining to or of the nature of an explosion:explosive violence.
- likely to lead to violence or hostility:an explosive issue.
- Phoneticsplosive.
n.
- an explosive agent or substance, as dynamite.
- Phoneticsplosive.
- explos(ion) + -ive 1660–70
ex•plo′sive•ness, n.