supernova

noun

su·​per·​no·​va ˌsü-pər-ˈnō-və 

1

: the explosion of a star in which the star may reach a maximum intrinsic luminosity one billion times that of the sun

2

: one that explodes into prominence or popularity

also : superstar

Did you know?

A nova, despite its name, isn't actually a "new" star, but rather one that wasn't noticed until it exploded, when it may increase in brightness by a million times before returning to its previous state a few days later. A supernova is far larger; a star in its supernova state may emit a billion times as much light as previously. After a few weeks it begins to dim, until it eventually ceases to exist; it's often replaced by a black hole. (Though remains that were shot out into space may survive; those of a great supernova seen in A.D. 1054 are now known as the Crab Nebula.) All this may serve as a warning to those human stars whose fame explodes too rapidly; supernovas of this kind have sometimes vanished by the following year.

Synonyms of supernova

• success
• hit
• blockbuster
• winner

Examples of supernova in a Sentence

tragically, a shoulder injury cut short the pitching career of one of baseball's brightest supernovas

Recent Examples on the Web

These hot, massive stars in the cluster end their lives after a few million years as supernova explosions, the blast waves and radiation from which can create bubbles in the gas light years across, creating further pathways for ultraviolet light to escape and be detected by Hubble. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 June 2026

This gas loss, called a galactic wind, is likely driven by intense star formation and supernova explosions. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 23 June 2026

What the champagne supernova has taught us is that this isn’t all Kyle’s fault, this isn’t all because of his partying and DJ-ing and mullet (please don’t bring it back). — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 June 2026

Jason Andrew / Jason Andrew for NBC News The third survey will focus on supernova explosions that occurred up to 8 billion years ago. — Denise Chow, NBC news, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for supernova

• villanova
• jehovah
• nova
• ova

Kids Definition

supernova

noun

su·​per·​no·​va ˌsü-pər-ˈnō-və 

: the explosion of a very large star in which the star temporarily gives off up to one billion times more energy than the sun