fireball

noun

fire·​ball ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbȯl 

1

: a ball of fire

also : something resembling such a ball

the primordial fireball associated with the beginning of the universe

—Scientific American

2

: a brilliant meteor that may trail bright sparks

3

: the highly luminous cloud of vapor and dust created by a nuclear explosion

4

: a highly energetic person

Synonyms

• dynamo
• live wire
• pistol

Examples of fireball in a Sentence

The house erupted into a fireball.

what this club needs is a fireball who will bring some sorely needed energy and enthusiasm

Recent Examples on the Web

Be on the lookout for streaking meteors and fireballs — the Orionid meteors are expected to peak overnight Sunday and Monday before dawn each day, according to NASA. —Kelly Tyko, Axios, 19 Oct. 2024

The Orionids may even produce unusually bright meteors known as fireballs. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024

Here’s how to see the ‘fireballs’ of summer’s brightest meteor shower Ever see a star explode? —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2024

The once-in-a-lifetime comet will come within about 44 million miles (nearly 71 million kilometers) of our planet on Saturday and appear as a bright fireball with a long, extended tail. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fireball

noun

fire·​ball -ˌbȯl 

1

: a ball of fire

2

: a very bright meteor

3

: the glowing cloud of vapor and dust created by a nuclear explosion