boom
1 of 3verb
ˈbüm 
boomed; booming; booms
intransitive verb
1
: to make a deep hollow sound
2
a
: to increase in importance, popularity, or esteem
b
: to experience a sudden rapid growth and expansion usually with an increase in prices
business was booming
c
: to develop rapidly in population and importance
California boomed when gold was discovered there
d
: to increase greatly in size or number
the population boomed
transitive verb
1
: to cause to resound —often used with out
his voice booms out the lyrics
2
: to cause a rapid growth or increase of : boost
3
: to hit or kick forcefully
boom a punt
boom
2 of 3noun (1)
1
: a booming sound or cry —often used interjectionally to indicate suddenness
then boom, he was fired
2
: a rapid expansion or increase: such as
a
: a general movement in support of a candidate for office
b
: rapid settlement and development of a town or district
c
: a rapid widespread expansion of economic activity
d
: an upsurge in activity, interest, or popularity
a folk music boom
boom
3 of 3noun (2)
1
: a long spar used to extend the foot of a sail
2
a
: a chain or line of connected floating timbers extended across a river, lake, or harbor (as to obstruct passage or catch floating objects)
b
: a temporary floating barrier used to contain an oil spill
3
a
: a long beam projecting from the mast of a derrick to support or guide cargo
b
: a long more or less horizontal supporting arm or brace (as for holding a microphone)
4
: a spar or outrigger connecting the tail surfaces and the main supporting structure of an aircraft
Synonyms
Verb
- accelerate
- accumulate
- appreciate
- balloon
- build up
- burgeon
- bourgeon
- climb
- enlarge
- escalate
- expand
- gain
- increase
- mount
- multiply
- mushroom
- proliferate
- rise
- roll up
- snowball
- spread
- swell
- wax
Noun (1)
- bang
- blast
- clap
- crack
- crash
- pop
- report
- slam
- smash
- snap
- thunderclap
- thwack
- whack
- whomp
- whump
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb the sound of the bass drum booming His voice boomed out across the congregation. She boomed commands from the stern of the ship. “What's going on here?” he boomed. Housing construction has boomed in the past year. Last year we almost had to close the store, but now business is booming. See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English bomben, bummen, of imitative origin
Noun (2)
Dutch, tree, beam; akin to Old High German boum tree — more at beam
First Known Use
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun (1)
circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing boom
Kids Definition
boom 1 of 3
verb
ˈbüm
boomed; booming
1
: to make a deep, hollow, and loud sound
The cannon boomed.
2
: to increase or develop rapidly
Business boomed last year.
boom
2 of 3noun
1
: a deep, hollow, and loud sound
2
: a rapid increase in activity or popularity
a sales boom
boom
3 of 3noun
1
: a long pole attached to the bottom of a sail
2
: a long beam sticking out from the mast of a derrick to support or guide something that is being lifted
3
: a long pole for holding a microphone
booms 1 of 2
noun
as in claps
a loud explosive sound the nerve-jangling boom of a car backfiring Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- claps
- bangs
- blasts
- thunderclaps
- crashes
- pops
- thwacks
- roars
- cracks
- reports
- slams
- whacks
- whumps
- snaps
- taps
- clangs
- whomps
- smashes
- knocks
- whams
- clanks
- thunks
- clashes
- howls
- outcries
- raps
- blares
- uproars
- clamors
- hullabaloos
- tumults
- hubbubs
- clangors
- hue and cries
booms
2 of 2verb
1
as in increases
to become greater in size, extent, volume, amount, or number with the strong economy, business is booming Synonyms & Similar Words
- increases
- rises
- swells
- accelerates
- climbs
- surges
- expands
- waxes
- balloons
- mounts
- intensifies
- multiplies
- mushrooms
- gains
- proliferates
- spreads
- accumulates
- jumps
- snowballs
- escalates
- enlarges
- rockets
- rolls up
- bourgeons
- burgeons
- builds up
- skyrockets
- appreciates
- peaks
- heightens
- crests
- inflates
- bulks
- redoubles
- distends
- crescendoes
- puffs (up)
- blows up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decreases
- contracts
- recedes
- diminishes
- wanes
- lessens
- dwindles
2
as in roars
to make a long loud deep noise or cry the cannons boomed throughout the night Synonyms & Similar Words
- roars
- rumbles
- cries
- screams
- bellows
- thunders
- growls
- bangs
- shouts
- shrieks
- blasts
- screeches
- yells
- rolls
- peals
- whoops
- squalls
- wails
- grumbles
- hollers
- blares
- bawls
- howls
- bells
- hoots
- caterwauls
- calls
- yowls
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- whispers
- grunts
- murmurs
- mouths
- mumbles
- squeaks
- mutters
- whimpers
- pules
- mewls