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

Meteor storms only occur when the shower's parent comet makes its closest approach to the sun – an event known as perihelion – about once every 33 years, releasing fresh material that the Earth then passes through. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025

At the time, British newspapers warned about a comet that was set to destroy Earth. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025

The dust is microscopic asteroid and comet debris that constantly rains in space, eventually making its way to Earth. —Regina G. Barber, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025

The comet's next visit to the sun's vicinity is not due until the year 2031. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025

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