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

The Leonids are also known for their fireballs, which are brighter, more colorful and last longer than an average meteor streak that can, at times, whiz so close to the horizon that their long tails appear to graze the Earth, according to NASA. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024

The debate still lingers Leonid meteor shower 2024: How to see the most fireballs in Arizona Will my Allegiant flight be canceled? —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024

This event could generate up to five meteors per hour under a dark sky (for that, try a national park), but there is one hiccup: a bright, 79 percent full moon will wash out all but the most luminous shooting stars and fireballs. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2024

The bigger particles can produce what are known as fireballs, meteors that are brighter than the planet Venus, according to NASA. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 20 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