n.
Pronunciation: ik- ' spl ō -siv, -ziv
Function: adjective
Date: 1667
1 a : relating to, characterized by, or operated by explosion <an explosive hatch> b : resulting from or as if from an explosion < explosive population growth>
2 a : tending to explode <an explosive person> b : likely to erupt in or produce hostile reaction or violence <an explosive ghetto situation>
– ex · plo · sive · ly adverb
– ex · plo · sive · ness noun