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

The plane erupted into a fireball in the crash, setting alight part of the medical accommodation building. —Hannah Parry barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025

Out of the 15 people on board when a fireball shot out from inside the boat, 11 were hospitalized. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025

Dashcam footage shows the fireball, known as a bolide, soaring through the sky and Robbins' reaction to the undeniable beauty. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 13 May 2025

The lack of any fireball sightings or other credible observations suggests a remote, watery resting place, which was always the most likely outcome. —Eric MacK, Forbes.com, 10 May 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