comet

noun

com·​et ˈkä-mət 

: a celestial body that appears as a fuzzy head usually surrounding a bright nucleus, that has a usually highly eccentric orbit, that consists primarily of ice and dust, and that often develops one or more long tails when near the sun

cometary

ˈkä-mə-ˌter-ē 

adjective

cometic

kə-ˈme-tik 

kä-

adjective

Examples of comet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The high-school reunion also stands distinct among other autobiographical events by appearing rarely, usually just once a decade or so, like a comet. —Jordan Michelman, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025

The comet will be too distant for a real close-up look. —Andrew Jones, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2025

And for all the biggest celestial events of 2025, check out our comprehensive astronomical calendar as well as our guide to all the comets coming our way this year. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Created by Steve Gerber, best known for Howard the Duck and legendary runs on The Defenders and Man-Thing, the series is set in a post-apocalyptic 40th century, two millennia after a comet split the moon in half and caused major destruction to Earth. —Will Harris, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English comete, from Old English cometa, from Latin, from Greek komētēs, literally, long-haired, from koman to wear long hair, from komē hair

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for comet

• grommet
• vomit
• recommit

Kids Definition

comet

noun

com·​et ˈkäm-ət 

: a bright heavenly body that develops a cloudy tail as it moves closer to the sun in its orbit

Etymology

Old English cometa "comet," from Latin cometa (same meaning), from Greek komētēs, literally, "long-haired," derived from komē "hair" — related to coma entry 2