1. Serving to explode or characterized by explosion or sudden outburst
   "explosive force"; "explosive violence"; "an explosive temper"; "an explosive device"; "explosive gas"
    
2. Liable to lead to sudden change or violence
   "an explosive issue";
   - volatile
    
3. Sudden and loud
   "an explosive laugh"

1. A chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck
   "The miners used explosives to blast through the rock"

Derived forms: explosives

See also: detonative, sudden, unstable

Type of: chemical, chemical substance

Antonym: nonexplosive

Part of: explosive device

Encyclopedia: Explosive