snowball

[ snoh-bawl ]

/ ˈsnoʊˌbɔl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR snowball ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

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

Nearby words

snow-on-the-mountain, snow-plow, snow-shoe, snow-tire, snow-white, snowball, snowball bush, snowball tree, snowball's chance in hell, a, snowbank, snowbell

Origin of snowball

1350–1400; Middle English (noun); see snow, ball¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for snowball

All of these increased barriers then have a snowball effect.
Random Hook-Ups or Dry Spells: Why Millennials Flunk College Dating|Ellie Schaack|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, national attention has already started to snowball around the issue.
The NYPD’s Racist War on Pot|Abby Haglage|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Chappelle approached them, one of the kids threw a snowball at his face and called him the N-word.
Dave Chappelle’s Triumphant Return to New York City|Alex Suskind|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I am afraid we will see a snowball effect in other countries,” said Westeson.
Why Does Spain Love Gay Marriage But Hate Abortion?|Emily Shire|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Once they begin, they could snowball and reach the major cities of the Hejaz, including Jeddah, Mecca, Taif, and Medina.
Revolution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?|Bruce Riedel|January 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The others laughed, and David proposed that Roly should throw a snowball at the frog, and see what he would get.
Gold-Seeking on the Dalton Trail|Arthur R. Thompson
Snowball perceived the change,—each moment becoming more perceptible, each moment augmenting his fears.
The Ocean Waifs|Mayne Reid
They feel that in a number of provinces they form an important nucleus which may grow in time like a snowball.
The Non-religion of the Future: A Sociological Study|Jean-Marie Guyau
One snowball took the man in the shoulder and the other landed just below his left ear.
The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island|Edward Stratemeyer
Snowball had come to the house to borrow the Merriams' ice-cream freezer.
Missy|Dana Gatlin

British Dictionary definitions for snowball

snowball

/ (ˈsnəʊˌbɔːl) /

noun

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

verb

(intr) to increase rapidly in size, importance, etctheir woes have snowballed since last year

(tr) to throw snowballs at

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 (1 of 2)

snowball

c.1400, from snow (n.) + ball (n.1). Cf. West Frisian sniebal, Middle Dutch sneubal, German Schneeball, Danish snebold. Expression snowball's chance (in hell) "no chance" is recorded by 1910.

Word Origin and History for snowball (1 of 2)

snowball

"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.

snowball

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of snowball

Examples from the Web for snowball

British Dictionary definitions for snowball

snowball

noun

verb

Word Origin and History for snowball (1 of 2)

snowball

Word Origin and History for snowball (1 of 2)

snowball