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

• dynamo
• live wire
• pistol

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

Several people captured on video a green fireball streaking across the sky over several cities in the country at around 6 a.m. local time on Sunday, May 11, according to The Cairns Post, 9 News Australia and United Press International. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 13 May 2025

Videos attached to the May 4 event report show the bright fireball shooting through the sky over Salt Lake City and Deaver, Wyoming. —Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 5 May 2025

In 2025, a waning crescent moon rising around 2:00 a.m. means dark skies for most of the night, particularly the prime hours between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Expect bold fireballs. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

The meteors, or 'shooting stars', will appear as a streak in the sky, and on some occasions appear as a fireball or bright flash. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fireball

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• gasohol
• 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