meteoric

Everyday

1. Very fast and sudden, especially a rise to fame or success: «a meteoric rise». tree →
2. (science) To do with meteors or meteorites: «meteoric dust», «meteoric iron». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and news, «a meteoric rise» means someone became famous or successful very quickly, like a young singer or footballer. In science (space), meteoric material comes from space rocks; some ancient iron tools were made from meteoric iron. The picture: a meteor flashes across the sky very fast and bright. Phrases: «a meteoric rise», «meteoric iron».

Examples

• The singer had a meteoric rise to fame. tree →
• The team's meteoric rise took them from the bottom league to the top in three years. tree →
• Tutankhamun had a dagger made of meteoric iron. tree →
• Scientists study meteoric dust collected from Antarctic ice. tree →
• Her career was meteoric. tree →
• Meteoric rock is different from Earth rock. tree →
• The app's meteoric success surprised everyone. tree →
• Some meteoric rises end just as fast. tree →

Note

Adjective from «meteor». Usually used with «rise» or «success». Trap: a real meteor burns up quickly – but «a meteoric rise» means quick and bright, not «short-lived» (though people sometimes use it that way). Not about weather – that is «meteorological».