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Showing results for firecracker. Search instead for rice cracker.
Synonyms

firecracker

American  
[fahyuhr-krak-er] / ˈfaɪərˌkræk ər /

noun

  • firecrackers
    plural
  1. a paper or cardboard cylinder filled with an explosive and having a fuse, for discharging to make a noise, as during a celebration.


firecracker British  
/ ˈfaɪəˌkrækə /

noun

  1. a small cardboard container filled with explosive powder and lit by a fuse

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. impressively energetic

    a firecracker start to the race

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of firecracker

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; fire + cracker

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.

See Examples For:

According to the researchers, these chemical changes could interfere with microbial communities and aquatic ecosystems, particularly if large amounts of firecracker litter are repeatedly washed into rivers and lakes after festivals or celebrations.

From Science Daily Jul. 4, 2026

A rare moment of high drama flares when a pregnant woman, Agata, played with firecracker fierceness by Anna Chlumsky, barrels down the basement stairs to accost Renia.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 6, 2025

"Spencer was a firecracker, that's the best way to put it," Mitrofanov added.

From BBC Jan. 31, 2025

She was a small-framed, firecracker of a woman, and no matter who is telling us about her, the fact that she outlived three husbands is always included.

From Salon Jan. 16, 2025

"I don't have friends," he says, and his voice is a firecracker in the underground corridors.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

One 18-year-old student told Reuters he initially thought firecrackers were going off.

From BBC Aug. 7, 2026

Spent firecrackers scatter residue that contains partially burned fuel, metal salts, additives, and pieces of charred packaging.

From Science Daily Jul. 4, 2026

Wearing helmets and ponchos, the protesters, many of whom waved rainbow-colored Indigenous flags, marched toward the city center to the din of firecrackers.

From Barron's May 22, 2026

Rapid-response teams—made up of locals riding motorcycles and armed with firecrackers and devices that spray chili-pepper irritants—try to steer wandering elephants back into protected areas.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 30, 2026

I told her as much of the truth as I could, from the firecrackers to the Pelham Police Department and the white tulips.

From "Looking for Alaska" by John Green

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