ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fireball

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfaɪɝˌbɔɫ// UK //fˈaɪəbɔːl// fire·ball Archaic Informal Slang

n. a large, bright ball of fire or light, often caused by an explosion or a very bright meteor in the sky. People also use it to describe someone who has a lot of energy and works very hard.

n. a luminous, spherical mass of fire or incandescent gas, typically resulting from an explosion or the atmospheric entry of a large meteor. In figurative usage, it describes a person of exceptional energy and drive.


SIMPLE

The explosion created a massive fireball that lit up the night sky.

CONTEXTUAL

Witnesses reported seeing a brilliant fireball streak across the horizon before hearing a distant sonic boom.

COMPLEX

The chemical plant explosion sent a massive fireball hundreds of feet into the air, necessitating an immediate evacuation of the surrounding residential districts.

Synonyms
Origin

The noun is derived from fire (noun) + ball (noun). The adjective and verb are derived from the noun.

Usage

Often used with 'into' when describing an object erupting ('burst into a fireball').

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