supernova

noun

su·​per·​no·​va ˌsü-pər-ˈnō-və 

1

: the explosion of a star in which the star may reach a maximum intrinsic luminosity one billion times that of the sun

2

: one that explodes into prominence or popularity

also : superstar

Did you know?

A nova, despite its name, isn't actually a "new" star, but rather one that wasn't noticed until it exploded, when it may increase in brightness by a million times before returning to its previous state a few days later. A supernova is far larger; a star in its supernova state may emit a billion times as much light as previously. After a few weeks it begins to dim, until it eventually ceases to exist; it's often replaced by a black hole. (Though remains that were shot out into space may survive; those of a great supernova seen in A.D. 1054 are now known as the Crab Nebula.) All this may serve as a warning to those human stars whose fame explodes too rapidly; supernovas of this kind have sometimes vanished by the following year.

Synonyms of supernova

• success
• hit
• blockbuster
• winner

Examples of supernova in a Sentence

tragically, a shoulder injury cut short the pitching career of one of baseball's brightest supernovas

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, the collapse results in a faint supernova with significant fallback, in which the heavier elements from the star’s core, such as oxygen, are sucked back past the event horizon and trapped in the black hole beneath. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026

Yet, others reach our planet after being thrust into space in distant supernova explosions (the final blasts of stars that run out of fuel in their cores). —Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 13 May 2026

Brilliant, like a supernova, then gone. —Eli Raphael, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026

Larsson turned into something of a supernova for virality, whether for her vocal anti-Trump politics, her glittery Y2K style, or her infectious tour choreography. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for supernova

• villanova
• jehovah
• nova
• ova

Kids Definition

supernova

noun

su·​per·​no·​va ˌsü-pər-ˈnō-və 

: the explosion of a very large star in which the star temporarily gives off up to one billion times more energy than the sun