noun
Common
fireworks
FEYE-uh-wurks
Fireworks (noun) means a display or event featuring fireworks. Example: “The whole town turned out for the fireworks on New Year's Eve.”
noun
1
A display or event featuring fireworks.
"The whole town turned out for the fireworks on New Year's Eve."
"We watched the fireworks from the hill, and the sky glowed red and gold."
"The children covered their ears when the fireworks began over the lake."
2
A dramatic, heated outburst or confrontation.
"There were fireworks in the boardroom when the merger fell through."
"There were real fireworks when the two neighbours argued about the fence."
"I expect fireworks tonight if Dad finds out who broke his window."
How to use fireworks
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fireworks show, or figuratively, a dramatic clash.
Common pairings
fireworks display
expect fireworks
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The whole town turned out for the _____ on New Year's Eve.
Etymology
The plural of firework, first recorded in English around 1575, likely borrowed via Dutch and German equivalents.
Class of 1575
fireworks joined the language around 1575.
See the full Class of 1575 →
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “fireworks” mean?
The word “fireworks” means a display or event featuring fireworks. In plain terms, a fireworks show, or figuratively, a dramatic clash.
How do you pronounce “fireworks”?
“Fireworks” is pronounced FEYE-uh-wurks (/ˈfaɪ̯.ɚ.wɝks/ in IPA).
How do you use “fireworks” in a sentence?
Here is “fireworks” used in a sentence: “The whole town turned out for the fireworks on New Year's Eve.”
What is another word for “fireworks”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fireworks” include pyrotechnics.
What part of speech is “fireworks”?
“Fireworks” is a noun.
Where does the word “fireworks” come from?
The word “fireworks” dates back to around 1575 and comes from German. The plural of firework, first recorded in English around 1575, likely borrowed via Dutch and German equivalents.
Is “fireworks” a common word?
“Fireworks” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fireworks” have?
“Fireworks” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a display or event featuring fireworks.
What is the difference between fireworks meaning a display and fireworks meaning an argument?
Fireworks in its literal sense refers to an actual pyrotechnic display, such as one seen on a holiday or at a celebration. Used figuratively, fireworks describes a dramatic, heated outburst or confrontation between people, comparing the intensity of an argument to the visual burst of an explosion.
When would someone say 'there were fireworks' about a meeting or conversation?
Saying 'there were fireworks' at a meeting or conversation is a figurative way of saying it became heated or dramatic, often involving a confrontation or intense disagreement. It draws on the imagery of fireworks exploding to describe sudden, intense conflict.
Is fireworks singular or plural in grammar?
Fireworks is typically treated as a plural noun, as in 'the fireworks were spectacular,' since it usually refers to multiple pyrotechnic pieces or a whole display made up of many effects.
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