# snowball

/ˈsnoʊˌbɔɫ/ (US) · /snˈəʊbɔːl/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/snowball
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

to grow or increase very quickly. You use this when one small problem or idea suddenly becomes much bigger and harder to control.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.