snowball
[snoh-bawl]
- a ball of snow pressed or rolled together, as for throwing.
- any of several shrubs belonging to the genus Viburnum, of the honeysuckle family, having large clusters of white, sterile flowers.
- 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.
- a scoop or ball of ice cream covered with shredded coconut and usually chocolate sauce.
Show More
- to throw snowballs at.
- to cause to grow or become larger, greater, more intense, etc., at an accelerating rate: to snowball a small business into a great enterprise.
Show More
- to grow or become larger, greater, more intense, etc., at an accelerating rate.
Show More
Origin of snowball
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for snowball
Contemporary Examples
All of these increased barriers then have a snowball effect.
Meanwhile, national attention has already started to snowball around the issue.
When Chappelle approached them, one of the kids threw a snowball at his face and called him the N-word.
“I am afraid we will see a snowball effect in other countries,” said Westeson.
Once they begin, they could snowball and reach the major cities of the Hejaz, including Jeddah, Mecca, Taif, and Medina.
Historical Examples
He knew that the whole world is a snowball, and that all the stars are snowballs.
Alarms and DiscursionsG. K. Chesterton
The snowball missed her, and came with a great bang against the barrel.
Ranald Bannerman's BoyhoodGeorge MacDonald
But they do, and most of them look as dignified as can be, in spite of the snowball.
Galusha the MagnificentJoseph C. Lincoln
You seem to be aiming at me as directly as a small boy aims his snowball.
The Gorgeous GirlNalbro Bartley
Another old-time enjoyment of that date was a snowball fight.
Robert Louis StevensonMargaret Moyes Black
snowball
- snow pressed into a ball for throwing, as in play
- a drink made of advocaat and lemonade
- slang a mixture of heroin and cocaine
- a dance started by one couple who separate and choose different partners. The process continues until all present are dancing
Show More
- (intr) to increase rapidly in size, importance, etctheir woes have snowballed since last year
- (tr) to throw snowballs at
Show More
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
Word Origin and History for snowball
v.
"to make snowballs," 1680s, from snowball (n.); sense of "to throw snowballs at" (someone) is from 1850. Meaning "to increase rapidly" is attested from 1929, though the image of a snowball increasing in size as it rolls along had been used since at least 1613, and a noun sense of "a pyramid scheme" is attested from 1892. Related: Snowballed; snowballing.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper