boom

Everyday

1. A deep, loud sound like thunder or a big drum: the boom of the cannon. tree →
2. (verb) To make a deep loud sound or to speak very loudly: his voice boomed. tree →
3. A sudden fast growth or increase: a baby boom, a business boom. tree →
4. (verb) To grow or do very well: business is booming. tree →
5. A long pole on a sailing boat that holds the bottom of a sail. tree →
6. A long pole holding a microphone or camera. tree →
7. (slang interjection) "Boom!" means "There, done!" or celebrates success. tree →

In the lessons

In stories it is a sound word; in science it relates to the sonic boom of very fast planes. In history and geography a "boom" is a time of fast growth (a gold rush boom, a population boom). In maths graphs a boom shows as a steep rise. Phrases: a sonic boom, baby boom, boom town, boom and bust.

Examples

• The thunder went boom over the hills. tree →
• The headteacher's voice boomed across the hall. tree →
• Sales of umbrellas boomed in the wet summer. tree →
• A sonic boom is made when a plane flies faster than sound. tree →
• Duck when the sailors swing the boom! tree →
• (slang) I finished my homework — boom! tree →
• The gold rush caused a boom in the town's population. tree →
• Then he heard a thump and a shuffle, and the booming went on. tree →

Note

Regular verb: boomed, booming. "Booming" can mean very loud or very successful. The opposite of a boom in money is a slump or bust. In maths a boom means numbers rising quickly.