fireball
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a large, round mass of fire and smoke caused by a sudden explosion.
n.a spherical mass of fire and flame, typically resulting from a high-intensity explosion or the ignition of flammable gases.
Simple“The fuel tank exploded in a massive fireball that could be seen for miles.”
In context“Witnesses reported a deafening roar followed by a towering fireball that consumed the warehouse in seconds.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a person who has a lot of energy, strong will, and enthusiasm.
n.a figurative description of a highly energetic, spirited, or strong-willed individual.
Simple“Our new manager is a real fireball who has already changed how we work.”
In context“Despite her age, the grandmother was a total fireball, organizing community events and hiking every weekend.”
Synonymsdynamolive wire - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a very bright meteor that looks like a ball of fire as it falls through the sky.
n.a meteor that reaches a visual magnitude of -4 or brighter, often leaving a visible trail or exploding in the atmosphere.
Simple“Astronomers tracked a rare fireball as it crossed the night sky over the desert.”
In context“The fireball was bright enough to cast distinct shadows on the ground, suggesting it was a significant bolide entering the upper atmosphere.”
Synonymsbolidemeteor - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a ball of fire created by magic and thrown at an enemy in stories or games.
n.a magical projectile consisting of fire, commonly appearing in mythology, folklore, and fantasy role-playing games.
Simple“The wizard cast a fireball to defeat the monsters in the cave.”
In context“In many tabletop games, the fireball is a standard area-of-effect spell used to clear groups of low-level enemies.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
adj.something that is very good or impressive.
adj.a slang term used to describe something as excellent or high-quality.
Simple“That new song you played is absolutely fireball.”
In context“The party last night was fireball; everyone had a great time and the music was perfect.”
“In Phase 3, the meteor gets much brighter and turns into a fireball.”
The noun is derived from fire (noun) + ball (noun). The adjective and verb are derived from the noun.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.