Blockbuster
/ˈblɒkbʌstər/
Definitions
Something extraordinarily successful, especially a film or book that makes a lot of money.
/ˈblɒkbʌstər/
A highly successful film, book, game, etc.
The summer blockbuster season is upon us.
💡 Simply: A really, really popular and successful thing.
More Examples
That video game was a real blockbuster.
How It's Used
"The movie was a blockbuster, breaking box office records."
"Her new novel is predicted to be a blockbuster."
From the combination of "block" (referring to a city block) and "buster" (meaning something that destroys or breaks something). Originally referred to a bomb powerful enough to destroy an entire city block. Its meaning evolved to describe highly successful films and later, other things.
Initially referred to a powerful bomb, later adopted to describe hugely successful films and then other products.
Memory tip
Think 'block' as in a huge hit, and 'buster' as in something that breaks records.