meteoric shower: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Technical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “meteoric shower” mean?
A celestial event where many meteors (often called "shooting stars") appear to radiate from a specific point in the sky.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A celestial event where many meteors (often called "shooting stars") appear to radiate from a specific point in the sky.
In metaphorical use, a sudden, brilliant, or intense display of something (e.g., talent, success, activity) that is short-lived or fleeting, analogous to the brief, dramatic appearance of a meteor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Meteor shower' is the dominant standard term in both. 'Meteoric shower' is rarer and may be perceived as slightly more formal or literary.
Connotations
In both varieties, the primary connotation is astronomical. The figurative use is possible but uncommon.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday language. More likely found in descriptive prose, older scientific texts, or poetic contexts than in contemporary speech or news reporting about astronomy.
Grammar
How to Use “meteoric shower” in a Sentence
The [NAME] meteoric shower occurs annually.We watched a meteoric shower.A meteoric shower of [FIGURATIVE NOUN] lit up the [CONTEXT].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meteoric shower” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The meteoric shower activity was forecast to peak at midnight.
American English
- The meteoric shower forecast prompted a star-gathering in the desert.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically: 'The company's meteoric shower of innovations quickly captured the market.'
Academic
Used in astronomy, physics, and earth sciences departments. Also possible in literary analysis for figurative descriptions.
Everyday
Very rare. Most would say 'meteor shower'. Might be used for deliberate poetic effect.
Technical
Standard in astronomy, though 'meteor shower' is the preferred technical term. Used to describe the phenomenon where multiple meteoroids enter Earth's atmosphere.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meteoric shower”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meteoric shower”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meteoric shower”
- Using 'meteoric shower' in casual conversation where 'meteor shower' is expected.
- Confusing it with 'meteorite shower'.
- Misspelling as 'meteroric shower'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in meaning they are virtually identical. 'Meteor shower' is the far more common and standard term. 'Meteoric shower' is a rarer, sometimes more literary variant.
Yes, though it's uncommon. It can describe any sudden, dazzling, but short-lived burst of activity, success, or display (e.g., 'a meteoric shower of creative ideas').
A meteoroid is a small particle in space. When it enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up, creating a streak of light, it's called a meteor (or shooting star). If any part survives and hits the ground, it's a meteorite. A 'meteoric shower' involves meteors.
No. For general communication about the astronomical event, 'meteor shower' is the essential term. 'Meteoric shower' is for advanced learners interested in nuanced, formal, or literary language.
A celestial event where many meteors (often called "shooting stars") appear to radiate from a specific point in the sky.
Meteoric shower is usually formal, academic, technical, literary in register.
Meteoric shower: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmiːtiˈɒrɪk ˈʃaʊə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmiːtiˈɔːrɪk ˈʃaʊɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ME TE OR (me, the ore) falling in a SHOWER of sparks from the sky.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS/EVENTS ARE CELESTIAL PHENOMENA (brief, dazzling, natural).
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, 'a meteoric shower of praise' suggests the praise was: