Vocabulary Spotlight
Chartbuster
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A song, album, or movie that achieves great popularity and commercial success, typically reaching the top of music or movie charts.
“The new single became an instant chartbuster, topping the charts within a week of release.”
Pronunciation
[chahrt-buhs-ter]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Best-seller
Blockbuster
Top-seller
Success
Antonyms
Failure
Miss
Bust
Non-starter
Related Words
Hitmaker (noun)
Top 10 (noun)
Word Origin
The term “chartbuster” emerged in the mid-20th century with the rise of music and movie popularity charts. The word combines “chart,” indicating rankings of popularity, and “buster,” meaning something that excels or breaks through limits. It originated in American slang, reflecting the rise of pop culture and commercial entertainment success.
Word Family
Noun: Chartbuster – A song or film that becomes very popular.
Adjective: Chart-topping – Achieving high ranking on popularity charts.
Related Noun: Chart – A list showing the ranking of music or movies based on popularity.
Mnemonics
Think of “chart” and “buster” as something that “busts” or tops the popularity charts, becoming widely successful.
Industry-specific Usage
Music Industry
In music, a chartbuster is a song that ranks highly on music charts like Billboard, often due to its widespread popularity and commercial appeal.
Film Industry
In film, a chartbuster movie refers to one that dominates box office sales, often becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Marketing
Marketing campaigns are designed to help a product or release become a chartbuster by driving engagement and sales, ensuring it reaches high visibility.
In Context
A chartbuster song or film often has widespread appeal, transcending specific tastes or demographics. In culture, chartbusters often define trends, mark eras, and create iconic moments. Chartbusters in music and film industries are celebrated as indicators of both artistic and commercial success.