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Synonyms

Roman candle

American  

noun

  1. a firework consisting of a tube that sends out a shower of sparks and a succession of balls of fire.


Roman candle British  

noun

  1. a firework that produces a continuous shower of sparks punctuated by coloured balls of fire

"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

Etymology

Origin of Roman candle

First recorded in 1825–35

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:

Throwing off sparks like a Roman candle, Jackman turns the character into a romantic hero who just needs the love of a good woman to set him on the straight and narrow.

From Los Angeles Times May 2, 2022

His golf partner, his oldest son, then known as “Junior” and the Roman candle in the family, did look, though, and leveled a fierce glare at me.

From New York Times Dec. 2, 2018

“He’s the Roman candle of the piece,” says Soderbergh.

From The Guardian Aug. 23, 2017

But in penman Robert Hurford’s hands, H explodes like a Roman candle in ink.

From Washington Times Aug. 5, 2017

Leo holds a hand out for a Roman candle.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

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