n.
- a small rubber sac which is inflated and used as a child's toy or a decoration.
- a large bag filled with hot air or gas to make it rise in the air, typically having a basket for passengers.
- a rounded outline in which the words or thoughts of characters in a comic strip or cartoon are written.
- a large rounded drinking glass, used especially for brandy.
- Scottish informal a stupid person.
v.
- swell out in a spherical shape.
▸increase rapidly.
- travel by hot-air balloon.
- Brit. (with reference to a ball) lob or be lobbed high in the air.
Phrase
- when the balloon goes up
informal when the action or trouble starts.
Derivative
- ballooner n.
- ballooning n.
- balloonist n.
Etymology
C16 (orig. denoting a game played with a large inflated leather ball): from Fr. ballon or Ital. ballone ‘large ball’.
