Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bombshell

/ˈbɑmʃɛl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.15 in modern English

Syllables: bomb-shell
IPA: /ˈbɑmʃɛl/

18

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Any grenade, mortar shell, or artillery shell (hollow metal object) containing a charge that can explode.

noun

Something that is very surprising, shocking, amazing or sensational.

noun

Someone who is very attractive; a sex symbol.

Example Sentences

""This—this is a bombshell!" exclaimed the Colonel. "What does it mean?" "Politics," replied Carrados tersely."
"Singer and Jeffreys had focused their attention on cancer risk, but the bombshell of the report was the danger to children."
"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."
"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."

Etymology

From bomb + shell.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈbɑmʃɛl/
British English: /ˈbɒmʃɛl/

Inflected Forms

bombshells (plural)

Phrases

blonde bombshell drop a bombshell

Synonyms

bomb[Appendix:Glossary thunderbolt thunderclap

Questions

How do you pronounce bombshell?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbɑmʃɛl/.
What does bombshell mean?: Any grenade, mortar shell, or artillery shell (hollow metal object) containing a charge that can explode.
Where does bombshell come from?: From bomb + shell.

How to pronounce bombshell

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “bombshell”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈbɑmʃɛl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “bombshell”.
Repeat and practice — Say “bombshell” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.