Search results for 'balloon':

balloon noun 1 a small, usually brightly-coloured, rubber pouch with a neck, that can be inflated with air or gas and used as a toy or decoration, etc. 2 a large bag made of light material and filled with a light gas or hot air, designed to float in the air carrying people, or weather-recording instruments, etc in a basket underneath. 3 a balloon-shaped outline containing the words or thoughts of a character in a cartoon. verb (ballooned, ballooning) 1 intrans to swell out like a balloon. 2 intrans to increase dramatically • Food prices ballooned this spring. 3 intrans to travel by balloon. 4 Brit to kick or propel by some other means (a ball, etc) high into the air. 5 to inflate. ballooning noun. balloonist noun a person who travels in a balloon, especially for recreation. when the balloon goes up when the trouble, fuss or excitement starts
ETYMOLOGY: 1920s phrase; in World War I observation balloons were launched soon before an attack was to begin.
ETYMOLOGY: 16c in the sense 'large ball' or 'football': from Italian ballone.