pyrotechnic

1 of 2

adjective

py·​ro·​tech·​nic ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-nik 

variants or less commonly pyrotechnical

ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-ni-kəl 

: of or relating to pyrotechnics

pyrotechnically

ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

pyrotechnic

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: firework

b

: any of various similar devices (as for igniting a rocket or producing an explosion)

2

: a combustible substance used in a firework

Did you know?

You've read about funeral pyres, and you may even have survived a pyromaniac ("insane fire-starting") stage in your youth, so you might have guessed that pyr means "fire" in Greek. Pyrotechnic refers literally to fireworks, but always seems to be used for something else—something just as exciting, explosive, dazzling, sparkling, or brilliant. The performances of sports stars and dancers are often described as pyrotechnic, and a critic may describe the pyrotechnics of a rock guitarist's licks or a film's camerawork. A pyrotechnic performance is always impressive, but the word occasionally suggests something more like "flashy" or "flamboyant".

Examples of pyrotechnic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The pitch at Berlin’s Olympiastadion was shrouded in smoke during the second half following a mass pyrotechnic display from fans. —Ali Rampling, New York Times, 23 May 2026

True, there’s no pyrotechnic personality in the expansive field of gubernatorial hopefuls. —Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026

Noun

The fireworks find comes after a fire in a converted garage May 9 led to the detonation of pyrotechnics that reportedly blew a man’s body apart on the 2400 block of Ninth Avenue in the Jefferson Park area. —City News Service, Daily News, 28 May 2026

Muna is ready to bring the heat on tour — even if pyrotechnics are out of the question. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French pyrotechnique, from Greek pyr fire + technē art — more at technical

First Known Use

Adjective

1629, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pyrotechnic

• polytechnic
• technic