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kaboom

kaboom

14 7.5
A loud bang from an explosion or a heavy hit
  • noun
  • /kəˈbuːm/
  • Informal
translation icon : estruendo
  • The bomb went off with a loud kaboom, shaking the entire building.
  • kaboom explosion
  • then kaboom
  • big kaboom

Examples

  • Then it sounded like the whole damn fridge fell over, this big kaboom with bottles breaking and dishes rattling.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • What's the cost (propane has value), and when it reverts to gas, isn't there the possibility of a big kaboom?

    Blog text (27)
  • But somewhere along the way, kaboom, everything fell apart.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Uh, I give you one day off, and kaboom!

  • And at the first sign of a spark kaboom, the ship would blow up.

  • You place these elements in different patterns, and kaboom!

  • Suddenly, kaboom!

  • Now and then it would backfire—kaboom!—loud as a field gun.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • As the fireworks exploded in the night sky, there was an exciting kaboom that lit up the darkness.

  • The car crash ended with a dramatic kaboom, leaving onlookers in shock.

Synonyms

explosion
vskaboom
2.8

A sudden violent burst that makes a loud noise and causes damage

is specifically about a loud explosive sound rather than the event itself
bang
vskaboom
237 1.3

A sudden loud noise from a hit or impact

is primarily about an explosive sound rather than a physical blow
gunshot
vskaboom
144 2.1

A loud sharp sound that a gun makes when it fires

is more general for explosive sounds beyond those from weapon discharge
bam
vskaboom
  • Informal
108 8.4

A sudden very loud noise, like an explosion or a slammed door

is the actual loud sound itself rather than merely a descriptive exclamation
slam
vskaboom
85 2.1

A loud noise when something hits or closes suddenly

is linked to explosive sounds or impacts rather than to closing actions
report
vskaboom
78 5.8

A sudden loud noise like the bang of a gun

is used more broadly for explosive or impact noises beyond weapon examples
blast
vskaboom
27 2.7

A sudden very loud noise that hurts your ears

is slightly less intense and not always very loud
pow
vskaboom
  • Informal
19 7.3

A sudden loud sound from a hit, explosion, or when something bursts

is more tied to explosion or sudden impact rather than bursting
wham
vskaboom
  • Informal
15 3.6

A sudden loud sound when one thing hits another

is commonly caused by explosion or sudden impact rather than mere collisions
a loud bang
vskaboom
10 1.2

A sudden very loud noise often from an explosion or crash

is focused less on sharpness and more on broad loudness
clap
vskaboom
8 1.0

A sudden loud noise like thunder or an explosion

is typically more explosive and focuses on depth rather than sharp crack
sonic boom
vskaboom
  • Specialized
8 4.5

A loud, explosive sound made when something like a plane goes faster than sound

is broader, applying to any loud explosive sound not only supersonic cases
boom-boom
vskaboom
  • Informal
7 7.6

A loud, deep sound like an explosion or fireworks

is not necessarily deep, focusing on loudness rather than low pitch
blam
vskaboom
  • Informal
2 8.9

A sudden loud noise like a gunshot or explosion

is more direct and definite rather than only suggesting an event
backfire
vskaboom
2 5.0

A loud explosive noise from a gun or engine when fuel catches fire suddenly

is any loud explosive sound not specifically tied to engine ignition causes
whammo
vskaboom
  • Informal
1 9.9

A sudden loud hit that startles people

is focused on the loud explosive noise rather than on forcefulness
whomp
vskaboom
  • US
1 8.1

A loud heavy sound when something hits or falls

is more about explosive sound rather than only heavy impact noises
sudden cannonade
vskaboom
  • Archaic
9.2

A sudden series of very loud bangs like explosions

is a general explosive sound rather than a specifically cannonlike one
9.0

A very sudden powerful blast that breaks things and makes loud noise

is about the loud sound produced rather than the violent bursting event

How Loud

kaboom
  • Informal
14 7.5
blast
27 2.7
to boom
33 3.4
bang
237 1.3
pop
3.1

Surface Forms

kaboom singular
kabooms plural

Etymology

Kaboom copies the loud sound of an explosion. It puts a sharp 'ka' before the familiar boom ('a loud sound'), so kaboom means the loud bang or blast itself.