snowball

American  

[snoh-bawl] / ˈsnoʊˌbɔl /

noun

1. a ball of snow pressed or rolled together, as for throwing.

2. any of several shrubs belonging to the genus Viburnum, of the honeysuckle family, having large clusters of white, sterile flowers.

3. a confection of crushed ice, usually in the shape of a ball, which is flavored with fruit or other syrup and served in a paper cup.

4. a scoop or ball of ice cream covered with shredded coconut and usually chocolate sauce.

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verb (used with object)

1. to throw snowballs at.

2. to cause to grow or become larger, greater, more intense, etc., at an accelerating rate.

   to snowball a small business into a great enterprise.

verb (used without object)

1. to grow or become larger, greater, more intense, etc., at an accelerating rate.

snowball British  

/ ˈsnəʊˌbɔːl /

noun

1. snow pressed into a ball for throwing, as in play

2. a drink made of advocaat and lemonade

3. slang a mixture of heroin and cocaine

4. a dance started by one couple who separate and choose different partners. The process continues until all present are dancing

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verb

1. (intr) to increase rapidly in size, importance, etc

   their woes have snowballed since last year

2. (tr) to throw snowballs at

Etymology

Origin of snowball

1350–1400; Middle English (noun); snow, ball ¹

Example Sentences

“I’m not saying there won’t be problems, but the problems won’t cascade and snowball into a bigger problem,” Blankfein said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

“It was like losing the worst snowball fight of your life.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

The suit was filed on behalf of a Costco member in the state, Matthew Stockov, and seeks class-action status, meaning it has the potential to snowball into something bigger.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

He said apprentices would have "snowball" fights with asbestos and he knew of two women who died having probably inhaled particles while washing their husband's work clothes.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Just as Omakayas turned she caught a firm-packed snowball on the side of her face.

From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich

Related Words

• escalate
• heighten
• intensify
• multiply
• proliferate
• swell
• widen