METEORIC

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does meteoric mean? 

• METEORIC (adjective)
  The adjective METEORIC has 3 senses:

1. of or pertaining to atmospheric phenomena, especially weather and weather conditions

2. pertaining to or consisting of meteors or meteoroids

3. like a meteor in speed or brilliance or transience

  Familiarity information: METEORIC used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• METEORIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or pertaining to atmospheric phenomena, especially weather and weather conditions

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

meteoric; meteorologic; meteorological

Context example:

meteoric (or meteorological) phenomena

Pertainym:

meteorology (the earth science dealing with phenomena of the atmosphere (especially weather))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Pertaining to or consisting of meteors or meteoroids

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

meteoric impacts

Pertainym:

meteoroid ((astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere)

Derivation:

meteor ((astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Like a meteor in speed or brilliance or transience

Context example:

a meteoric rise to fame

Similar:

fast (acting or moving or capable of acting or moving quickly)

 Context examples 

"Pecking at star-dust," Martin took up the strain warmly; "at the meteoric flight of the master-men. I once wrote a squib on them—the critics, or the reviewers, rather."

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)