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

In snowier news, Mamdani faces a flurry of criticism from police over a snowball fight.

From The Wall Street Journal

The officers were targeted when they responded to a mass gathering of snowball hurlers after Monday’s blizzard subsided.

From The Wall Street Journal

Video taken Monday afternoon in Washington Square Park shows a snowball fight following an epic snowstorm devolving into some parkgoers apparently targeting police with snowballs.

From BBC

When I arrived at the mines, Frederick threw a snowball at my face.

From Literature

Similar to how snowflakes stick together to build a snowball, tiny particles were drawn together by gravity into larger clusters.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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