pyrotechnic
pyrotechnic — adjective
- pyrotechnicpositive
- more pyrotechniccomparative
- most pyrotechnicsuperlative
1. having to do with fireworks — the brightly coloured explosive items that produce
having to do with fireworks — the brightly coloured explosive items that produce flashes of light and loud bangs, used at celebrations such as New Year's Eve or festivals.
The pyrotechnic show on New Year's Eve lit up the whole sky above Taipei.
collocation: pyrotechnic show
Zola's job involves testing the safety of pyrotechnic materials used in public displays.
collocation: pyrotechnic materials
A pyrotechnic expert checked every rocket before the summer festival began.
The wedding ended with a beautiful pyrotechnic display that the guests will never forget.
- firework-related
less formal; used when the connection to actual fireworks is indirect
- explosive
broader meaning; includes any material or device that can explode, not just fireworks
用法筆記
This is the literal sense. The figurative sense ('extremely skilful or brilliant') is more common in journalism and literary reviews.
常見錯誤
2. so brilliant, fast, or exciting that it reminds you of a fireworks display — use
so brilliant, fast, or exciting that it reminds you of a fireworks display — used of a performance, a piece of writing, a speech, or any display of skill.
The pianist gave a pyrotechnic performance that left the audience breathless.
figurative: pyrotechnic performance
Benjamin's pyrotechnic guitar solo brought the crowd to their feet at the concert hall.
The writer's pyrotechnic style makes every page feel full of energy and surprise.
During the debate, the young senator delivered a pyrotechnic speech that won over many voters.
- dazzling
more common in everyday language; focuses on visual or intellectual brightness
- brilliant
broader; can mean any kind of excellence, not only showy or explosive
- spectacular
focuses on visual impressiveness; slightly less formal
- virtuoso
specifically of musical or artistic technical skill; narrower in scope
- dull
opposite of exciting or brilliant
- uninspired
lacking the creative energy of a pyrotechnic performance
用法筆記
Commonly found in arts reviews and political commentary. Often pairs with nouns describing a skilled activity (performance, solo, speech, style, display).
pyrotechnic — noun
1. a small object containing chemicals that burns or explodes with bright colours,
a small object containing chemicals that burns or explodes with bright colours, flashes of light, and loud noises, used for entertainment at special events.
The children watched the pyrotechnics explode in red and gold above the harbour.
usually plural: pyrotechnics
Bao bought several pyrotechnics from the shop for the Lantern Festival celebration.
The city spent thousands of dollars on pyrotechnics for the national holiday display.
Talia's favourite part of the evening was the pyrotechnics reflected on the lake.
- firework
far more common in everyday language; 'pyrotechnic' is more technical or formal
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form 'pyrotechnics' when referring to an actual firework display. The singular 'a pyrotechnic' is possible but very rare in everyday conversation.
常見錯誤
2. a device that uses explosive or flammable material for a practical, non-entertai
a device that uses explosive or flammable material for a practical, non-entertainment purpose — for example, to ignite a rocket engine, trigger an emergency system, or break down a building.
A small pyrotechnic ignites the rocket engine at the right moment.
technical: pyrotechnic for ignition
Construction crews placed a pyrotechnic inside the old building to bring it down safely.
A tiny pyrotechnic inside the safety system triggers the car airbag during a crash.
The film crew used a pyrotechnic to create a safe explosion on the movie set.
- ignition device
describes the function rather than the material; narrower but clearer
- explosive device
broader; includes any type of bomb or detonator, not just pyrotechnic mechanisms
用法筆記
This technical sense is specialist vocabulary. In everyday life, most people simply say 'device' or 'explosive' rather than 'pyrotechnic'.
3. a chemical substance that burns or explodes and is used as an ingredient inside
a chemical substance that burns or explodes and is used as an ingredient inside a firework to produce a particular colour, smoke, or sound effect.
Each colour in the firework comes from a different pyrotechnic mixed into the shell.
different pyrotechnics produce different colours
The chemist studied how different pyrotechnics react when heated to very high temperatures.
Manufacturers must store pyrotechnics in a cool, dry place away from any source of heat.
Barium compounds are used as pyrotechnics to create a bright green colour in fireworks.
- chemical
broader; any substance with a defined chemical composition, not necessarily explosive
- combustible
focuses on the ability to burn; can be used as a noun in technical contexts
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (the whole firework object) and sense 2 (a practical device). Sense 3 refers specifically to the chemical material itself, not the container or mechanism.