Snowballed - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

increase rapidly

To snowball means to grow or increase at an accelerating rate, often used metaphorically to describe situations that become increasingly complicated or intense. This term typically suggests that once a small change or action occurs, it can lead to much larger consequences, similar to a snowball gaining mass as it rolls down a hill.

Synonyms

accelerate, compound, escalate.

Examples of usage

The problem snowballed after we ignored the initial warning signs.
Her small investment snowballed into a fortune over the years.
The rumor snowballed, leading to widespread panic.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

In behavioral psychology, small actions or thoughts can create 'snowball' effects, leading to larger patterns of behavior.
The concept of 'snowballing' is often used to explain anxiety, where small worries escalate into bigger fears.
Positive habits, like daily exercise, can also snowball as they lead to more healthy choices over time.

Finance

In finance, the 'snowball effect' refers to how small investments or deposits can grow significantly over time through compound interest.
Debt can snowball if not managed correctly, as interest accumulates and increases the total owed even more rapidly.
Many financial strategies recommend starting small and continually adding to investments to create this growth effect.

Pop Culture

The phrase features in movies and books to describe escalating situations, such as a minor mistake leading to major consequences.
Musicians often use the term in lyrics to express how small changes in life can lead to dramatic shifts.
In the world of social media, a small post can snowball into a viral trend, influencing thousands in a day.

Physical Science

Rolling snowballs physically demonstrate accumulation and inertia, similar to how an emotional or situational snowball effect works.
In physics, this concept can be related to the idea of momentum, where a small force applied continuously results in greater outcomes.
Snowball fights utilize the physical principle of mass and momentum, showing how size and speed can dramatically increase impact.

Origin of 'snowballed'

Main points about word origin

The term 'snowball' comes from the 18th century, referring to the way snow collects when rolled together.
It became a metaphor in the late 20th century, illustrating how situations can escalate quickly.
In many cultures, the image of a rolling snowball suggests momentum and growth.

The term 'snowball' has its origins in the literal act of rolling a small ball of snow, which gradually increases in size as it gathers more snow, thereby becoming larger and heavier. The figurative use of 'snowball' as a verb developed in the early 20th century, reflecting the idea of something starting small and accumulating momentum and size over time. This concept has been applied across various contexts, including finance, social issues, and personal experiences, to illustrate how minor beginnings can lead to significant developments. Over the years, the term has become a popular way to describe processes that spiral uncontrollably or grow exponentially, often with a negative connotation implying that a situation has become unmanageable.

Snowballed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations