fireball

noun

fire·​ball ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbȯl 

1

: a ball of fire

also : something resembling such a ball

… the primordial fireball associated with the beginning of the universe.

—Scientific American

2

: a brilliant meteor that may trail bright sparks

3

: the highly luminous cloud of vapor and dust created by a nuclear explosion

4

: a highly energetic person

Synonyms of fireball

• pistol
• dynamo

Examples of fireball in a Sentence

The house erupted into a fireball.

what this club needs is a fireball who will bring some sorely needed energy and enthusiasm

Recent Examples on the Web

Videos circulating on social media showed drones repeatedly striking the facility, sending large fireballs upward - and expletives tumbling out of many a Russian mouth. —Charles Maynes, NPR, 18 June 2026

On Saturday, bystanders caught video of a massive fireball that erupted on a mountain in Yakima County, Washington, when a Marine fighter jet crashed. —Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 17 June 2026

But late last month, New Glenn exploded in a fireball during a test, badly damaging its sole launchpad in Florida. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 16 June 2026

Want to see dramatic fireballs and shooting stars for yourself? —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fireball

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• gasohol
• gossypol
• guaiacol

Kids Definition

fireball

noun

fire·​ball -ˌbȯl 

1

: a ball of fire

2

: a very bright meteor

3

: the glowing cloud of vapor and dust created by a nuclear explosion