comet

noun

com·​et ˈkä-mət 

: a celestial body that appears as a fuzzy head usually surrounding a bright nucleus, that has a usually highly eccentric orbit, that consists primarily of ice and dust, and that often develops one or more long tails when near the sun

cometary

ˈkä-mə-ˌter-ē 

adjective

cometic

kə-ˈme-tik 

kä-

adjective

Examples of comet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Did faraway comets or space rocks deliver the essential ingredients to us? — CBS News, 13 July 2026

Other standout moments include a depiction of Halley’s comet, some six centuries before the birth of Edmond Halley, the English astronomer after which it would one day be named. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Even though ‘Oumuamua is long gone, verification that dark comets are in fact comets should give us some sense of closure—and better prepare us for when other all-natural interstellar visitors come calling. — Darryl Z. Seligman, Scientific American, 10 July 2026

For the best chance to view the comet, head to a dark place, away from light pollution. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English comete, from Old English cometa, from Latin, from Greek komētēs, literally, long-haired, from koman to wear long hair, from komē hair

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for comet

• grommet
• vomit
• recommit

Kids Definition

comet

noun

com·​et ˈkäm-ət 

: a bright heavenly body that develops a cloudy tail as it moves closer to the sun in its orbit

Etymology

Old English cometa "comet," from Latin cometa (same meaning), from Greek komētēs, literally, "long-haired," derived from komē "hair" — related to coma entry 2