firework

noun

fire·work | \ ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌwərk

plural fireworks

Definition of firework

1 : a device for producing a striking display by the combustion of explosive or flammable compositions setting off fireworks

2 fireworks plural : a display of fireworks a celebration marked by fireworks A large crowd gathered to watch the fireworks. a spectacular fireworks display Of course there is more to the Fourth of July than fireworks.— John Updike

3 fireworks plural

a : a display of temper or intense conflict … director Jack Hofsiss, in his film debut, and screenwriter David Rabe … fill the screen with raw emotional fireworks. — People Weekly

b : strong feelings of usually romantic or sexual attraction between two people … Hollywood has done a pretty convincing job of making so many of us believe that if there aren't immediate fireworks between two people, then it's time to walk away.— Tayi Sanusi

c : a spectacular display the fireworks of autumn leaves

Synonyms Did you know? More Example Sentences Learn More About firework

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Synonyms for firework

Synonyms

blowup,
explosion,
fit,
hissy
[chiefly Southern & southern Midland],
hissy fit,
huff,
scene,
tantrum

Did you know?

The word fireworks burst upon the scene in the 1500s as a reference to military explosives (a sense that is now obsolete). These explosives were originally used as weapons, of course, but soon they were also being used in explosive displays celebrating victory or peace. By 1575 people were oohing and aahing over "fireworks shewed upon the water; the which were both strange and wel [sic] executed." Figurative uses have been popping up ever since the 1600s. In addition to the angry explosion sense, fireworks can also refer to a spectacular display of musical, visual, or verbal brilliance, as in "an outstanding album, bursting with spectacular musical fireworks."

Examples of firework in a Sentence

Are you going to stay for the fireworks? We expect a few fireworks during the presidential debate.

Recent Examples on the Web This fight isn’t a big exploding comic book-style firework show. — Robert Daniels, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2021 Around the Bay Area, safe-and-sane firework sales are allowed in Pacifica, San Bruno, Newark, Union City, Dublin, Gilroy and Rohnert Park, among other spots. — Steve Rubenstein, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 July 2021 Utah vendors say firework sales haven’t dipped despite drought. — Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 June 2021 Carlsbad at Park Hyatt Aviara: Park Hyatt Aviara, 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, hosts a firework show at 9 p.m. July 4, as part of its Light up your Fourth of July weekend festivities. — Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2021 Finally, after your firework show is over and done, don’t just throw your fireworks into the garbage. — Sylvia Goodman, The Courier-Journal, 22 June 2021 The 63-year-old Detroit firework show will be broadcast June 28 on WDIV Local 4, according to The Parade Company. — Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press, 18 May 2021 Nationwide, firework sales are up for a number of different reasons. — Duard Headley, The Enquirer, 1 July 2020 Consumer firework sales have doubled or tripled in the past month for some retailers compared to last year's numbers, according to Heckman. — Megan Marples, CNN, 30 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'firework.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.