meteoric

American  

[mee-tee-awr-ik, -or-] / ˌmi tiˈɔr ɪk, -ˈɒr- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or consisting of meteors.

2. resembling a meteor in transient brilliance, suddenness of appearance, swiftness, etc..

   his meteoric rise in politics.

3. of or coming from the atmosphere; meteorological.

---

meteoric British  

/ ˌmiːtɪˈɒrɪk /

adjective

1. of, formed by, or relating to meteors

2. like a meteor in brilliance, speed, or transience

3. rare of or relating to the weather; meteorological

---

Other Word Forms

• meteorically adverb
• nonmeteoric adjective
• nonmeteorically adverb

Etymology

Origin of meteoric

From the Medieval Latin word meteōricus, dating back to 1625–35. See meteor, -ic

Example Sentences

The episode also provides an opportunity to reflect on Woods’ meteoric rise, sustained excellence and precipitous decline on the golf course, his scandal-plagued personal life and what the future might hold.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Of course, those drops have all come after meteoric rises amid the artificial intelligence boom.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

Ras Laffan is quite simply the engine that has powered Qatar’s meteoric growth and rise as a global power broker.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

After a meteoric rise, Saturday's match against Ireland - which England likely need to win to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive - will be Pollock's first Test start.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

They felt, and not without at least some justification, that they had helped propel King on his meteoric rise.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson