Balloon — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective verb /bə-ˈlün/ bal·loon

Meaning & Definition of Balloon

Balloon (noun)

  1. a nonporous bag of light material that can be inflated especially with air or gas
  2. a bag that is filled with heated air or a gas lighter than air so as to rise and float in the atmosphere and that usually carries a suspended load (such as a gondola with passengers)
  3. an inflatable bag (as of rubber or plastic) usually used as a toy or for decoration

Balloon (adjective)

  1. relating to, resembling, or suggesting a balloon
  2. having or being a final installment that is much larger than preceding ones in a term or installment note

Balloon (verb)

  1. to swell or puff out, expand
  2. to ascend or travel in or as if in a balloon
  3. to increase rapidly

Balloon (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

    "the number of students who stay home sick balloons every winter"

    similar: accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, boom, build up, burgeon, climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
    related: jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge, heighten, intensify, redouble, blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up), crescendo, crest, peak
    opposite: contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

  2. to extend outward beyond a usual point

    "the paper bag ballooned and blew away as the wind lifted it skyward"

    similar: bag, beetle, belly, billow, bulge, bunch, jut, overhang, poke, pooch (chiefly dialect), pouch, pout, project, protrude, stand out, start, stick out, swell
    related: dome, blow up, inflate, dilate, distend, expand, mushroom, snowball, elongate, extend, lengthen, stretch
    near: compress, condense, constrict, contract, shrink

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Balloon

The most common words with a similar meaning to Balloon:

Chiefly dialect: pooch
accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, boom, build up, burgeon, climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax, bag, beetle, belly, billow, bulge, bunch, jut, overhang, poke, pouch, pout, project, protrude, stand out, start, stick out

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Balloon

Words with the opposite meaning of Balloon:

contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

Related Words for Balloon

jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge, heighten, intensify, redouble, blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up), crescendo, crest, peak, dome, dilate, elongate, extend, lengthen, stretch

Near Antonyms of Balloon

compress, condense, constrict, shrink

Word Forms of Balloon

Inflections: balloons, ballooned, ballooning

Origin & Etymology of Balloon

French ballon large football, balloon, from Italian dialect ballone large football, augmentative of balla ball, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German balla ball ball

First known use: 1783

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Balloon

Words & Phrases Containing Balloon

balloon angioplasty, balloon catheter, balloon flower, balloon tire, balloon vine, balloon payment, barrage balloon

Frequently Asked Questions about Balloon

What does "Balloon" mean?

"Balloon" means a nonporous bag of light material that can be inflated especially with air or gas. As an a noun, an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: a nonporous bag of light material that can be inflated especially with air or gas. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Balloon"?

Other words for "Balloon" include accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, boom, build up, burgeon, climb and enlarge. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Balloon" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Balloon"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Balloon". Common alternatives include accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, boom, build up, burgeon, climb, enlarge, escalate and expand.

What is the opposite of "Balloon"?

Antonyms of "Balloon" include contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede and wane. Near antonyms include compress, condense, constrict and shrink.

How do you use "Balloon" in a sentence?

Examples of "Balloon" in a sentence: "the number of students who stay home sick balloons every winter"; "the paper bag ballooned and blew away as the wind lifted it skyward".

Is "Balloon" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Balloon" can be used as a noun, an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Balloon" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Balloon" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Balloon"?

"Balloon" is pronounced /bə-ˈlün/ and divided into syllables as bal·loon.