noun
Uncommon
supernova
soo-puh-NOH-vuh
Supernova (noun) means a massive star that explodes in a huge burst of brightness, leaving behind a neutron star, a black hole, or nothing at all. Example: “Astronomers spotted a supernova in a distant galaxy last night.”
noun
1
A massive star that explodes in a huge burst of brightness, leaving behind a neutron star, a black hole, or nothing at all.
"Astronomers spotted a supernova in a distant galaxy last night."
"The supernova briefly outshone its entire host galaxy."
2
Something dazzling or spectacular.
"Her debut album was a supernova on the charts."
How to use supernova
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe massive, brilliant explosion that marks the death of a large star.
Common pairings
a supernova explosion
go supernova
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Word forms
- Plural
- supernovae, supernovæ, supernovas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Astronomers spotted a _____ in a distant galaxy last night.
Etymology
From super- + nova (Latin for "new") — a "new star" that appears far brighter than an ordinary one.
Synonyms
View more →
SN
Related words
Rhymes for supernova
See all rhymes for supernova →Frequently asked questions
What does “supernova” mean?
The word “supernova” means a massive star that explodes in a huge burst of brightness, leaving behind a neutron star, a black hole, or nothing at all. In plain terms, the massive, brilliant explosion that marks the death of a large star.
How do you pronounce “supernova”?
“Supernova” is pronounced soo-puh-NOH-vuh (/ˌsuː.pə(ɹ)ˈnəʊ.və/ in IPA).
How do you use “supernova” in a sentence?
Here is “supernova” used in a sentence: “Astronomers spotted a supernova in a distant galaxy last night.”
What is another word for “supernova”?
Words with a similar meaning to “supernova” include SN.
What part of speech is “supernova”?
“Supernova” is a noun.
Where does the word “supernova” come from?
The word “supernova” comes from Latin. From super- + nova (Latin for "new") — a "new star" that appears far brighter than an ordinary one.
Is “supernova” a common word?
“Supernova” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “supernova” have?
“Supernova” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a massive star that explodes in a huge burst of brightness, leaving behind a neutron star, a black hole, or nothing at all.
