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

The shower is famous for bright fireballs — large, vivid meteors that sometimes leave glowing trails lingering for several seconds. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 17 July 2026

Active from July 17 through August 24, the Perseids are renowned for producing bright, fast-moving meteors and spectacular fireballs as Earth passes through debris left behind in the inner solar system by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Observers across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania reported seeing a fireball streaking across the sky during the daytime on July 16, 2024. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

The rocket was engulfed by an orange fireball, destroying it as well as critical launch infrastructure. — Chris Young july 12, New Atlas, 13 July 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