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Glite Dictionary
💥 To burst violently 😡 To show strong emotion 📈 To increase fast ❌ To prove wrong 🔊 To release a sound 🖥️ To split text
to explode

to explode

1 6.8
To release a quick burst of air when saying sounds like p or t
  • verb
  • /ɪkˈsploʊd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : explosionar
  • Rudie was the business manager for the Sox and was credited with the invention of Bat Day, the development of the picnic area at Old Comiskey, and the introduction of the exploding scoreboard.

Examples

  • I can feel the steering wheel vibrate as each syllable explodes.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Aunt Joanna lounged in the big La-Z-Boy from which fluff was forever exploding to drift about the room like milkweed silk.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • By the way, the exploding spoon is the toy.

    Academic text (2003)

  • At the museum, you will find a secret code ashtray and an exploding spoon.

    Academic text (2003)

  • His chest explodes, sputtering medallions and bits of gold chain inside the booth.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • He himself had a deathly fear of exploding steamers, and for good reason.

    Blog text (28)

  • In linguistics, a stop consonant can explode when pronounced, causing a burst of air to escape.

  • The /p/ sound in 'pat' explodes with a noticeable release of air pressure.

  • When the /t/ in 'top' is articulated, it explodes outward, creating a clear sound.

Synonyms

to burst
vsto explode
164 1.4

Break open suddenly because of pressure inside

is the release of air in speech rather than an object rupturing
to pop
vsto explode
149 1.0

To burst or make something burst with a sudden sound

is the release of air in speech rather than a physical break

Phrasal Verbs

to explode a bombshell
  • Informal
7.7

Make a shocking announcement that surprises people

Surface Forms

explode infinitive
exploded past
exploded past participle
exploding present participle
explodes third person singular

Etymology

Explode keeps the picture of a sudden burst, so in sound work a stop consonant is 'exploded' when it is released with a quick burst of air, like a tiny explosion. This is why we use the same word for the small, sharp release in speech.