fireball

noun

fire·​ball ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fireball (audio)
Synonyms of fireballnext
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 of fireball

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two fireballs, seen over the Czech Republic in 2013 and Australia in 2016, were traced back to objects that had been in geocentric orbits. — Andrew Jones, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026 The move came after a fireball erupted at this past New Year’s event, shattering windows and injuring a child in downtown Boise. — Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026 The Orionids bring streaking fireballs Orionid meteors are known to fly by at high speeds, streaking through Earth’s atmosphere at 41 miles per second (66 kilometers per second). — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 Burning fireballs, liquids, lasers and ferrofluid were also filmed to provide starting points for the microscopic effects. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fireball

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fireball was in the 15th century

Rhymes for fireball

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Browse Nearby Words

fire back
fireball
fireballer
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Cite this Entry

“Fireball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fireball. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fireball

noun
fire·​ball -ˌbȯl How to pronounce fireball (audio)
1
: a ball of fire
2
: a very bright meteor
3
: the glowing cloud of vapor and dust created by a nuclear explosion

More from Merriam-Webster on fireball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fireball

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