snowball

• Nom désignant une boule de neige compactée pour la lancer en jouant, une plante à fleurs blanches parfumées (viorne obier), ou un dessert à base de glace ou de neige pilée avec des garnitures.

A noun referring to a ball of snow pressed together for throwing playfully, or a plant with fragrant white flowers, or a dessert of ice cream or crushed ice with toppings.

1. C1formalscientific

   A plant with heads of fragrant white trumpet-shaped flowers, typically found in sandy, arid regions.

   Boule-de-neige (plante)

   • The snowball plant thrives in the desert climate.
   • We planted a snowball bush in the garden for its beautiful white flowers.
   • The snowball's trumpet-shaped blossoms attract many bees.

2. Ice cream dessertA2informalculinary

   A ball of ice cream covered with coconut and usually chocolate sauce.

   Boule de neige (dessert)

   • For dessert, I ordered a snowball with chocolate sauce.
   • The snowball was topped with shredded coconut and syrup.
   • Children love the sweet taste of a snowball on a hot day.

3. Crushed ice treatA2informalamericanculinary

   A ball of crushed ice with fruit syrup, often served as a refreshing snack.

   Boule de glace pilée au sirop

   • At the fair, we bought a snowball with cherry syrup.
   • The snowball melted quickly in the summer heat.
   • She enjoyed a blue raspberry snowball at the carnival.

4. Playful snow objectA1informal

   Snow pressed into a ball for throwing playfully, especially during winter games.

   Boule de neige (jeu)

   • The children made a snowball and threw it at each other.
   • He ducked to avoid a snowball flying toward him.
   • A snowball fight is a classic winter activity.

• Verbe utilisé pour décrire une situation ou un processus qui augmente rapidement en taille, en intensité ou en importance, comme une boule de neige qui roule et grossit.

A verb used to describe a situation or process that grows rapidly in size, intensity, or significance, like a snowball rolling downhill.

1. Grow rapidlyB2informal

   To increase or accumulate at a rapidly accelerating rate, like a snowball rolling downhill.

   Augmenter de façon exponentielle

   • The company's debt snowballed after the failed investment.
   • The protest snowballed into a nationwide movement.
   • His small mistake snowballed into a major disaster.

   Synonymesaccelerateaccumulateburgeoncompoundescalateexpandmultiplymushroomproliferateswell

   Antonymescontractdeclinedecreasediminishdwindlelessenshrinkwane

2. A2informal

   To throw snowballs at someone or something.

   Bombarder de boules de neige

   • The children snowballed each other in the park.
   • They snowballed the passing cars for fun.
   • He got snowballed by his friends during the break.