dynamite meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

dynamite

noun

UK /ˈdʌɪnəmʌɪt/ · US /ˈdaɪ.nəˌmaɪt/

Etymology Coined by Alfred Nobel in 1867. Ultimately from Ancient Greek δύναμις (dúnamis, “power”) + -ite, most likely under the influence of dynamo or dynamic.

Usually A class of explosives made from nitroglycerine in an absorbent medium such as kieselguhr, used in mining and blasting.

Informal, Proscribed, Usually A stick of trinitrotoluene (TNT).

Figuratively, Slang, Usually Anything exceptionally dangerous, exciting or wonderful.

Even though sometimes I take differing views from some articles and letters in GCN, I think it's a dynamite piece of work. Good luck and thanks again.1977 April 30, Steve Sasville, “To Clothe Or Not...”, in Gay Community News, page 6:
And your shoulders are frozen (Cold as the night) / Oh, but you're an explosion (You're dynamite)2005, Alex Turner, “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor”, performed by Arctic Monkeys:

1 more example

That girl was dynamite. Dark hair with killer blue eyes, bronze skin, and an exquisite full-figured body. He warned us: "That issue about what's been happening at that factory, is political dynamite. Keep the lid on it."2016, Kit Moulton, Annabella, page 108:

Slang, Usually A strong drug, in particular heroin, cocaine or potent marijuana.

Synonyms: TNT
Derived terms: boom goes the dynamite, dynamite charge, dynamite roll, dynamite tree, dynamitic, dynamitish, dynamitism, dynamitist, predynamite

dynamite

verb

Etymology Coined by Alfred Nobel in 1867. Ultimately from Ancient Greek δύναμις (dúnamis, “power”) + -ite, most likely under the influence of dynamo or dynamic.

To blow up with dynamite or other high explosive.

Gradually the construction gangs cut and dynamited their way through some of the most difficult country in the world.1954 February, Trevor Holloway, “Canada's Transcontinental Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 128:
[...] on Sunday, August 23, the L.N.W.R. tunnel was closed to enable the old brickwork to be dynamited away, traffic being diverted meanwhile through the M.R. tunnel.1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 101:

Figuratively To dismantle or destroy.

Even the successful battle in the last century to overturn the court’s infamous Plessy vs. Ferguson “separate but equal” doctrine wasn’t a frontal assault that dynamited precedent.2021 July 29, Harry Litman, “Column: Mississippi’s abortion brief dynamites standing law and ‘super duper’ precedents”, in The Los Angeles Times:
Cue the appalling thought of a Haiti equaliser that would dynamite Scotland's hopes of doing what they came here to do - making history by making it out of a group in a World Cup.2026 June 14, Tom English, “Why Haiti v Scotland was antidote to the ills of world football”, in BBC Sport:

Of brakes To apply maximum pressure to very quickly.

dynamite the brakes
Juan dynamited the brakes and the car skidded to a halt.2009, Claude M. Pearson, Portia Rising, page 50:

2 more examples

The 1977 Pontiacs had a tendency of dying if you were at high speed and dynamited the brakes.2014, Mike Davis, Hunting Men: The Career of an Oregon State Police Detective, page 6:
At the critical moment I'd learned from countless action flicks I dynamited the brakes and felt the impact of the sedan against my rear bumper.2018, Laird Barron, Blood Standard:

Of brakes To lock up from being invoked too suddenly.

the brakes will dynamite

Derived terms: dynamiter, undynamited
Related terms: blasting cap, cordite, demolition, detonate

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