bombshell
nounUS /ˈbɑmʃɛl/ · UK /ˈbɒmʃɛl/
Etymology From bomb + shell.
1
Historical Any grenade, mortar shell, or artillery shell (hollow metal object) containing a charge that can explode.
2
Figuratively Something that is very surprising, shocking, amazing or sensational.
- "This—this is a bombshell!" exclaimed the Colonel. "What does it mean?" "Politics," replied Carrados tersely.1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC:
- Singer and Jeffreys had focused their attention on cancer risk, but the bombshell of the report was the danger to children.2010, Naomi Oreskes, Erik M. Conway, chapter 5, in Merchants of Doubt:
1 more example
- U.S. President Donald Trump’s bombshell proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and relocate its Palestinian inhabitants has made the forced transfer of populations – a war crime – a policy discussion, galvanizing Arab states.2025 February 6, Taylor Luck, Ghada Abdulfattah, “How Trump’s proposed plan for Gaza has united an outraged Arab world”, in The Christian Science Monitor:
3
Broadly Someone who is very attractive; a sex symbol.
- Diana Dors, the 1950s blonde bombshell
- The singer once identified by her shock of green hair has gone blonde and full bombshell, swapping her trademark sweats for a style more domme than deb: pink Gucci corset and skirt over Agent Provocateur skivvies, accessorized with latex gloves and leggings.2021 May 4, Ruth La Ferla, “On That Bombshell Billie Eilish Cover for British Vogue”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
- Derived terms
- blonde bombshell, drop a bombshell