meteoric

adjective

me·​te·​or·​ic ˌmē-tē-ˈȯr-ik 

-ˈär-

1

a

: of or relating to a meteor

b

: resembling a meteor in speed or in sudden and temporary brilliance

a meteoric rise to fame

2

: of, relating to, or derived from the earth's atmosphere

meteoric water

meteorically

ˌmē-tē-ˈȯr-i-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈär-

adverb

Examples of meteoric in a Sentence

a meteoric rise to fame

Recent Examples on the Web

But along with the company’s meteoric rise has come mounting legal woes over purported harms caused by its technology. —Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 13 June 2026

While Tom’s career would be meteoric as the true Hollywood star, Jim’s would be emblematic of the true Hollywood character actor. —Carl Kurlander, Deadline, 13 June 2026

Doing this at scale—combining all this data, getting as many cameras on the sky looking for meteoric flashes as possible—is what really makes this a critical scientific tool. —Phil Plait, Scientific American, 12 June 2026

Megan Moroney’s meteoric rise is one to be studied. —Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 9 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for meteoric

• caloric
• dysphoric
• euphoric
• historic
• plethoric
• pyloric
• anaphoric
• metaphoric
• paregoric
• prehistoric
• pyrophoric
• boric

Kids Definition

meteoric

adjective

me·​te·​or·​ic ˌmēt-ē-ˈȯr-ik 

-ˈär-

1

: of or relating to a meteor

a meteoric shower

2

: resembling a meteor in speed or in sudden and temporary brilliance

a meteoric rise to fame

meteorically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb