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fireball

noun

fire·​ball ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fireball (audio)
Synonyms of fireballnext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From supermoons to surprise fireballs, space news seems to get more exciting every year, and 2026 is shaping up to be no different. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 3 Dec. 2025 But Ryle and his students weren’t the only ones who saw the exceptionally bright meteor, also known as a fireball. Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Dec. 2025 With hints of Harry Potter-like magic afoot, the clip zooms to a close with a glimpse of a giant fireball glowing inside the building as confetti rains down on the group during a final, all-hands on-deck dance routine. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025 Larger pieces can give rise to brilliant fireballs, which can outshine even the brightest planets in the night sky. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 16 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fireball

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fireball was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fireball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fireball. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

fireball

noun
fire·​ball -ˌbȯl How to pronounce fireball (audio)
1
: a ball of fire
2
: a very bright meteor
3
: the glowing cloud of vapor and dust created by a nuclear explosion

More from Merriam-Webster on fireball

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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