boom
UK[buːm]US[buːm]
n
A period of great prosperity or rapid economic growth
n
A deep, resonant sound, such as that of an explosion or a large drum
v
To experience a period of rapid economic growth
v
To make a deep, resonant sound
Etymology
The word 'boom' originates as an onomatopoeic imitation of a deep, resonant sound, first recorded in English in the 15th century. This mimetic quality is shared with similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch 'bommen' (to hum) and German 'Bumm' (a thud). The economic sense, meaning a period of sudden prosperity and activity, emerged in the 19th century, metaphorically extending from the idea of a sudden, loud noise or explosive growth. Thus, the word's journey is from a direct sound imitation to an abstract metaphor for rapid expansion.
Analysis
This word is considered unsegmentable into distinct, meaningful morphemes within modern English spelling. It is an onomatopoeic formation, imitating a deep, hollow sound.
Examples
The post-war era saw an economic boom.
We heard the distant boom of thunder.
The tech industry continues to boom.