blockbuster

CEFRB2

/ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

01
noun
A very successful film, book, or product.
02
noun
Extra detail
Something, especially an event or a film, book or other creative work, that is intended to achieve high sales (perhaps indicated by large budgets or high advertising spending) or that is conceived on a large or epic scale

Examples

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Deep Dive

Extra meanings

Something, such as a film or book, that sustains exceptional and widespread popularity and achieves enormous sales, as opposed to a box office bomb.
A high-explosive bomb used for the purposes of demolishing extensive areas, such as a city block.
A large firework of the firecracker type; an M-80.

In context

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Question 1 · Quick check

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The word in print, with each source given in full.

"General William Booth Enters into Heaven" is lusty, a blockbuster conception.
1961, “Ives”, in Twentieth Century Music In The Western Hemisphere, J. B. Lippincott, page 146
The report noted that 'an increasing public appetite for large "blockbuster" musicals is a firmly established feature of London’s West End theatre scene'.
1994, “Drama”, in Whitaker's Almanack, 1994, page 1135
“How nice," she responded to his invitation, “but I've got a blockbuster of a headache. I'm paying for last night. Call me tomorrow, will you?"
1998, Yves Beauchemin, The Second Fiddle, page 383
Many—such as plants' relationships with mycorrhizal fungi—have been blockbuster moments in the history of life, with world-changing consequences.
2020, Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life, page 211
In the mid-2021 economy, employers are offering higher pay to attract scarce workers; airports and car lots are bustling; and a G.D.P. report due out next week will probably show blockbuster growth.
2021 July 21, Neil Irwin, “Is the U.S. Economy Too Hot or Too Cold? Yes.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 23 Jul 2021

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From block + buster, referring originally to aerial bombs capable of destroying a whole block of buildings.