Snowballing Meaning in English
word · lemma: snowball
Definition
Increasing rapidly or becoming bigger at a faster and faster rate, like a snowball rolling down a hill. It can describe problems, effects, or growth that keeps building on itself.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly informal. Common with words like 'problem', 'debt', 'effect', 'situation'. Suggests something growing out of control or quickly. Not usually used about physical objects, but more about situations or non-tangible things.
Example Sentences
The costs are snowballing fast.
basic
His debt is snowballing every month.
basic
Our problems have been snowballing since last year.
basic
Things just keep snowballing at work, and I'm exhausted.
natural
What started as a tiny mistake is now snowballing into a real issue.
natural
Rumors around here have a way of snowballing overnight.
natural