adjective

meteoric

mee-tee-O-rihk

adjective

Extremely rapid, dazzling, and often short-lived, like a meteor streaking across the sky.

"The band had a meteoric rise to fame after their song went viral."

"His meteoric career in politics ended almost as suddenly as it began."

Relating to meteors or to weather in the atmosphere.

"The observatory tracks meteoric activity every August."

How to Use Meteoric

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that happens incredibly fast and dramatically, often too fast to last.

Common mistake

Almost always used for a rise (in fame, success, or a career) — "meteoric fall" sounds odd, since the word carries a sense of dazzling ascent.

Common pairings

meteoric rise meteoric success meteoric career

more meteoric comparative, most meteoric superlative

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The band had a _____ rise to fame after their song went viral.

From meteor + the adjective suffix -ic.

rhetoric historic euphoric prehistoric hydrochloric