boom

Pluralbooms

Formsbooms, booming, boomed

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A time when something grows very fast, like business or the number of people.

   Like a plant that shoots up fast when it finally gets plenty of sun and water.

   The town had a building boom after the new factory opened.

   During the boom, everyone could find a job easily.

   UsageSay a building boom or a boom in jobs.

   Similarsurge, upturn, explosion, upswing, expansion

   Oppositeslump, bust, recession, decline

   Note
2. 2
   grow fastverbintransitive

   To grow or do very well, very fast.

   Like a tiny seed that quickly grows into a big, healthy plant.

   Sales of electric bikes are booming this year.

   Small towns boom when a big employer arrives.

   UsageSay business is booming.

   Similarflourish, prosper

   Oppositeslump, decline, stagnate

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   A loud, deep sound, like thunder, an explosion, or a very fast jet.

   Like the deep noise you feel in your chest when a big drum is hit.

   The boom of the fireworks made the baby cry.

   We heard a loud boom when the heavy door slammed shut.

   Similarrumble, roar, blast, bang, peal

4. 4
   verbintransitive

   To make a very loud, deep sound, or make something do this.

   Like a big drum that makes a deep, rolling sound.

   The big drums boom when the band marches past.

   Thunder boomed across the sky all evening.

   UsageSay thunder boomed across the sky.

   Similarthunder, roar, rumble, resound, reverberate

5. 5
   just like thatinterjection

   Said when something happens suddenly, like saying 'there it is!'

   Like a magic trick where something appears all at once.

   You mix the two colors and, boom, you get green.

   I pressed the button and, boom, the screen turned on.

   UsageSay it after the steps: press the button and, boom, it works.

   Similarpresto, bam

   Note
6. 6
   interjection

   A word for a loud, deep sound, like an explosion or a big drum.

   Like the sound effect in a cartoon when something blows up.

   Boom! The bomb in the movie blew up the old bridge.

   He threw the toy across the room and yelled, 'Boom!'

   UsageSay it went boom!

   Similarbang, kaboom

7. 7
   shoutverbfigurativelytransitive

   To say something in a very loud, deep voice.

   Like shouting so loudly that everyone in the room turns to look.

   Sergeants boom orders to keep the recruits in line.

   He boomed a warning across the crowded hall.

   UsageSay boom out an order.

   Similarbellow, thunder, roar, shout, bark

   Oppositewhisper, murmur

8. 8
   sail pole (boats)nouncountable

   A long pole that stretches out the bottom of a sail on a boat.

   Like a tent pole that keeps the bottom of a sail stretched out.

   Duck your head when the boom swings across the boat.

   The sailor pulled the rope tight along the boom.

   Note
9. 9
   nouncountable

   The long arm of a crane or digging machine that lifts or reaches things.

   Like a long arm reaching out to pick something up.

   The crane's boom lifted the steel beam onto the roof.

   Workers swung the boom over the construction site.

   Similararm, jib

10. 10
    nouncountable

    A long pole holding a microphone or camera above people while filming. Also, the microphone on it.

    Like a long fishing rod, but it holds a microphone instead of a hook.

    The sound man held the boom just above the actors' heads.

    Keep the boom out of the shot, please.

11. 11
    floating barriernouncountable

    A floating barrier placed on water to block boats or to hold back things like oil or logs.

    Like a floating fence stretched across the water.

    Crews placed a boom around the spilled oil to keep it from spreading.

    A boom across the river stopped boats from getting through.

    Similarbarrier

    Note

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