Word
snowball
Phoneticssnow·ball, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsnoʊˌbɔɫ/
UK/snˈəʊbɔːl/
Definition
v. to grow or increase very quickly. You use this when one small problem or idea suddenly becomes much bigger and harder to control.
v. to increase rapidly in size, intensity, or importance through a process of cumulative growth. Often describes situations where a small initial action triggers a series of larger consequences.
Examples
“The small argument began to snowball into a major fight.”
“What started as a minor technical glitch quickly began to snowball as more users reported the same issue.”
“The local protest began to snowball into a national movement as social media amplified the voices of those involved, eventually forcing a change in government policy.”
Examples
simple
“The small argument began to snowball into a major fight.”
contextual
“What started as a minor technical glitch quickly began to snowball as more users reported the same issue.”
complex
“The local protest began to snowball into a national movement as social media amplified the voices of those involved, eventually forcing a change in government policy.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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