snowball
Americannoun
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any of several shrubs belonging to the genus Viburnum, of the honeysuckle family, having large clusters of white, sterile flowers.
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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.
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a scoop or ball of ice cream covered with shredded coconut and usually chocolate sauce.
verb (used with object)
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to throw snowballs at.
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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)
noun
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snow pressed into a ball for throwing, as in play
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a drink made of advocaat and lemonade
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slang a mixture of heroin and cocaine
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a dance started by one couple who separate and choose different partners. The process continues until all present are dancing
verb
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(intr) to increase rapidly in size, importance, etc
their woes have snowballed since last year
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(tr) to throw snowballs at
Etymology
Origin of snowball
Vocabulary lists containing snowball
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.
Now, Delta is trying to shore up operations as it heads into the busy summer travel season, when problems can snowball into meltdowns for carriers and passengers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
“But from the point of view of energy, this is a snowball — and every week that passes, you have tighter markets,” Brito said.
From MarketWatch • May 12, 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
I stretch my arms out, trying to touch the wisps at the edge of multiple clouds, as if I can actually grab one and roll it around in my hands like a snowball.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
