skyrocket

[skahy-rok-it]

noun

1. a rocket firework that ascends into the air and explodes at a height, usually in a brilliant array of sparks of one or more colors.

2. Also called scarlet gilia. a plant, Ipomopsis aggregata, of the phlox family, native to western North America, having finely divided leaves and clusters of red, trumpet-shaped flowers.

3. an organized group cheer, usually led by a cheerleader, as at a football or basketball game, which begins with a hissing or whistling and ends with a shout.

verb (used without object)

1. to rise or increase rapidly or suddenly, especially to unexpected or unprecedented levels.

   Prices skyrocketed during the war.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to rise or increase rapidly and usually suddenly.

   Economic changes have skyrocketed prices.

2. to thrust with sudden dramatic advancement; catapult.

   Talent has skyrocketed him to fame.

skyrocket

/ ˈskaɪˌrɒkɪt /

noun

1. another word for rocket 1

verb

1. informal,  (intr) to rise rapidly, as in price

Word History and Origins

Origin of skyrocket¹

First recorded in 1680–90; sky + rocket ¹

Example Sentences

The popularity of the technology that can answer questions and quickly generate text, code, images and even music has skyrocketed in the last three years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The skyrocketing revenue potential and costs of major-college football have raised the stakes for programs at the top of the economic food chain like Penn State.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the same time, the cost of running food banks has skyrocketed.

Read more on Salon

“The demand is just going to continue to skyrocket.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The federal government has continuously increased subsidies to insurance companies to hide ObamaCare’s affordability failures and spare Americans on ObamaCare from its skyrocketing costs—while everyone’s premiums, copayments and deductibles have soared.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• catapult 
• escalate 
• rise 
• rocket 
• shoot up 
• zoom