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explosivo

ex-plo-SEE-boeksploˈsiβo

“explosivo” means “explosive” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

explosive

Also: volatile, sudden
A wooden crate with a lit fuse sparking, about to burst.

📝 In Action

Ten cuidado, ese gas es muy explosivo.

A2

Be careful, that gas is very explosive.

Él tiene un carácter explosivo cuando está estresado.

B1

He has a volatile temper when he is stressed.

La ciudad tuvo un crecimiento explosivo en diez años.

B2

The city had sudden, rapid growth in ten years.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • detonante (triggering/explosive)
  • volcánico (volcanic/fiery)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • mezcla explosiva – explosive mix
  • material explosivo – explosive material

explosive

Also: bomb
NounmB1
Three sticks of dynamite tied together with a simple fuse.

📝 In Action

La policía buscó un posible explosivo en el maletín.

B1

The police searched for a possible explosive in the briefcase.

Es peligroso transportar este tipo de explosivo.

B2

It is dangerous to transport this type of explosive.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • detección de explosivos – explosive detection
  • desactivar un explosivo – to defuse an explosive

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "explosivo" in Spanish:

bomb→explosive→sudden→volatile→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: explosivo

Question 1 of 1

How would you describe a person who gets angry very easily and suddenly?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
explotar(to explode / to exploit) — Verb
explosión(explosion) — Noun
explotación(exploitation / operation) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'explos-', the past participle of 'explodere', which originally meant 'to drive an actor off the stage by clapping hands'.

First recorded: 18th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: explosiveFrench: explosifItalian: esplosivo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'explosivo' always mean something dangerous?

Not always! While it literally refers to bombs or dangerous chemicals, it is often used figuratively to mean 'exciting,' 'rapid,' or 'very popular,' like an 'explosive success' (un éxito explosivo).