snowball

[ snoh-bawl ]

/ ˈsnoʊˌbɔl /

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See synonyms for: snowball / snowballing 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.

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Origin of snowball

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

Words nearby snowball

snout, snout beetle, snout reflex, snow, snow apple, snowball, snowball bush, snowball tree, snowbank, snow banner, snowbell

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for snowball

My therapist helped me to see and celebrate the snowball effect of every step, no matter how small.
In spite of it, how to live our best winter|Tom Sommers|January 12, 2021|Washington Blade
The resulting particles, known as soot, land on spinning ceramic rods, accumulating like a snowball.
An inside look at how fiber optic glass is made|Stan Horaczek|December 24, 2020|Popular Science
The risk is that it could drive it in a negative way and add on like a snowball rolling downhill to this selloff.
Wednesday’s FAAMG-led sell-off was no blip, tech bears say|Bernhard Warner|October 29, 2020|Fortune
Earth has been a snowball and a hothouse at different times in its past.
How Earth’s Climate Changes Naturally (and Why Things Are Different Now)|Howard Lee|July 21, 2020|Quanta Magazine

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
As frustration mounts within the Scouting world, a negative PR snowball builds.
Why Are Girl Scout Camps Being Closed?|Alessandra Rafferty|January 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When you were only a little snowball, we had to hang you up to dry, and that pulled your ears out.
Bumper, The White Rabbit|George Ethelbert Walsh
"I remember one year we had a great snowball fight at West Point," went on the captain.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
Away went the big snowball, down the long hill, and the cadets after it.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
When Peleg Snuggers arrived at the top of the hill the big snowball was ready for use.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)
"We want to fasten this cord in the hole through that big snowball, but we don't want to get it crossed," went on Tom, anxiously.
The Rover Boys on the Farm|Arthur M. Winfield (AKA Edward Stratemeyer)

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

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