kamikaze
kamikaze Lexical Profile
kamikaze Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to a World War II Japanese pilot or aircraft assigned to carry out a deliberate suicidal crash on an enemy target.
"The naval museum features historical photographs documenting the defense against kamikaze attacks in the Pacific theater."
Extremely reckless, self-destructive, or undertaken without regard for personal safety or negative consequences.
"Launching a price war against a much larger competitor was widely viewed by analysts as a kamikaze business strategy."
• noun
In World War II, a Japanese pilot trained to make a suicidal crash on an enemy target, or the explosive-laden aircraft used in such an attack.
"Historians have studied the letters left behind by young kamikazes before their final missions."
A person who acts in an extremely reckless or self-destructive manner.
"Pedestrians complained about the kamikazes on electric scooters weaving through crowded sidewalks at high speed."
A cocktail made of equal parts vodka, triple sec, and lime juice, typically served chilled as a shot or in a cocktail glass.
"The bartender shook the vodka, triple sec, and fresh lime juice with ice to prepare a classic kamikaze."
• Rhymes for kamikaze
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 'kamikaze' (literally 'divine wind'), originally referring to two 13th-century typhoons credited with destroying Mongol invasion fleets and saving Japan from conquest.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.