Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Explosive \Ex*plo"sive\, a. [Cf. F. explosif.]
   Driving or bursting out with violence and noise; causing
   explosion; as, the explosive force of gunpowder.

Explosive \Ex*plo"sive\, n.
   1. An explosive agent; a compound or mixture susceptible of a
      rapid chemical reaction, as gunpowder, or nitro-glycerine.

   2. A sound produced by an explosive impulse of the breath;
      (Phonetics) one of consonants p, b, t, d, k, g, which are
      sounded with a sort of explosive power of voice.

   Note: [See Guide to Pronunciation, [root] 155-7, 184.]

Source : WordNet®

explosive
     n : a chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change
         (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck

explosive
     adj 1: tending or serving to explode or characterized by explosion
            or sudden outburst; "an explosive device"; "explosive
            gas"; "explosive force"; "explosive violence"; "an
            explosive temper" [ant: {nonexplosive}]
     2: liable to lead to sudden change or violence; "an explosive
        issue"; "a volatile situation with troops and rioters
        eager for a confrontation" [syn: {volatile}]
     3: sudden and loud; "an explosive laugh"