Snowball

As a verb, 'snowball' describes the process of something growing rapidly and becoming increasingly large or significant, much like a snowball rolling down a hill gathers more snow. This can refer to events, problems, debts, or even popularity. As a noun, it refers to a ball made of compressed snow, often used in games or fights. Figuratively, a 'snowball' can also represent an accelerating process or a quickly multiplying effect.

Snowball meaning with examples

• The initial loan was small, but late payment fees quickly **snowballed**, creating a mountain of debt that was difficult to overcome. The company's financial troubles began with a minor setback that unfortunately **snowballed** into a major crisis, ultimately requiring them to declare bankruptcy. They hoped their efforts to promote their product would grow, but their sales failed to snowball.
• During the winter festival, children enthusiastically enjoyed making and throwing **snowballs**. The snowball fight at the park was a flurry of icy projectiles, resulting in many laughs. The photographer captured a candid shot of a child creating a large, perfect snowball. The game ended when all of the **snowballs** were gone.
• The positive online reviews for the restaurant's new menu **snowballed**, leading to a surge in reservations. Once word of the scandal leaked, the controversy began to snowball, damaging the company's reputation. Her career, thanks to the show, began to snowball rapidly, offering her more opportunity. The team's early success began to snowball, as people were talking.
• The initial investment was modest, but the returns **snowballed** over time, eventually providing financial independence. The minor disagreement between the colleagues quickly **snowballed** into a full-blown argument. His initial small success began to snowball; a series of unfortunate events then brought things crashing down. That argument with his friends started as something small that later **snowballed** into a massive rift between them.