supernova
A supernova is an extremely powerful explosion that occurs when a star runs out of fuel. It's incredibly bright and can be seen from millions of light-years away.
We often use the word "supernova" to describe something that's explosive or attention-grabbing in some way, not just limited to actual explosions in space. For example, a new company might have a supernova of success after releasing their latest product, meaning it becomes incredibly popular and profitable very quickly. A new fashion trend can also be called a "supernova" if it suddenly takes over the scene and everyone wants to follow along. Sometimes people even use it to describe a particularly dramatic or intense situation in everyday life - like a "supernova of emotions" in a romantic relationship, where things get very passionate and overwhelming all at once.
How common is "supernova"?
It appears most frequently in magazine texts and less often in other writings.
noun
(astronomy) A powerful and bright explosion of a massive star, which afterwards becomes a neutron star or a black hole, or is destroyed.
Real examples of "supernova" in context
