barnburner
Americannoun
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Informal. something that is highly exciting, impressive, etc..
The All Stars game was a real barnburner.
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Chiefly Pennsylvania. a wooden friction match.
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(initial capital letter) a member of the progressive faction in the Democratic Party in New York State 1845–52.
Usage
What does barnburner mean? A barnburner is something that is especially exciting, thrilling, or impressive. It’s most commonly applied to sports games. Barnburner is a sports cliché. It’s especially used to refer to matchups that are consistently exciting throughout the entire game and then go down to wire, which is another sports cliché that means that they’re not decided until the very end of the game. Example: Did you catch that triple-overtime game last night? What a barnburner!
Etymology
Origin of barnburner
1835–45, barn 1 + burner; barnburner ( def. 3 ) so called with reference to burning down a barn to get rid of rats
Explanation
A barnburner is an exceptionally thrilling and exciting event. For instance, one might say, "The final match of the tournament was a real barnburner, with the audience on the edge of their seats the whole game!" The word barnburner originated in the mid-19th century, referring to a radical political group known for its dramatic methods in pushing for reforms. It was said, humorously, that the Barnburners were willing to burn down the barn to smoke out a few rats. Over time, the term came to describe any event that generates a lot of excitement. Whether it's a thrilling sports game, a heated debate, or a high-energy concert, a barnburner is something that captures attention and leaves a lasting impression.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He told Rolling Stone it’s this barnburner about letting what you want keep you from what you need.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
The vice president's first ad after taking over at the top of the Democratic ticket was soundtracked by Beyoncé's 2016 barnburner "Freedom."
From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2024
Lulu also gets the show’s best song, a barnburner of a feminist anthem called “Independently Owned.”
From New York Times ● Apr. 4, 2023
Georgetown Prep, led by senior attackmen Colin Burns and Nate Kabiri, who are committed to play together at Princeton, played the Saints on March 7 and came up short in a 17-13 barnburner.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 14, 2023
With the way this weekend’s games went, another such barnburner seems likely.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 23, 2022
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
