blockbuster
UK[ˈblɒkbʌstə(r)]US[ˈblɑːkbʌstər]
n
A very successful and popular film, book, or other product, especially one that has made a lot of money.
n
A very powerful bomb used in World War II, capable of destroying a whole block of buildings.
Morpheme Breakdown
block
buster
block
solid mass
buster
thing that breaks
Etymology
The word 'blockbuster' originated during World War II as military slang for an aerial bomb of such immense power it could destroy an entire city block. The term is a straightforward compound of 'block' and 'buster', literally meaning "a thing that busts (destroys) a block." In the post-war era, the term was adopted by the entertainment industry in a figurative sense. Its logic transferred from physical destruction to commercial and cultural impact, describing a film or product that achieves such overwhelming success that it metaphorically "shatters" all previous records or expectations, dominating its market.
Analysis
Structure: block (solid mass) + buster (thing that breaks)
- block: From Middle English 'blok', from Old French 'bloc', of Germanic origin. In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning a large, solid piece or a group of buildings.
- buster: An agent noun formed from the verb 'bust' (informal for 'burst' or 'break'), with the suffix '-er' denoting a person or thing that performs an action. It functions as a noun meaning something that breaks or destroys.
Examples
The studio's latest superhero movie is predicted to be a summer blockbuster.
The novel became an overnight blockbuster, selling millions of copies in its first week.
During the war, blockbusters were used in strategic bombing campaigns against industrial targets.