ballooned
|bal-loon-ed|
/bəˈluːn/
(balloon)
floating bag
Etymology
'balloon' originates from French, specifically the word 'ballon', where 'ballon' meant 'a large ball' or 'bubble'.
'balloon' changed from Italian 'ballone' (an augmentative of 'palla' meaning 'ball') and the French 'ballon', and eventually became the modern English word 'balloon'.
Initially, it meant 'a large ball' or 'bubble'; over time it came to mean the inflatable bag used for flight and then the verb sense 'to swell or expand', which is now common.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle of 'balloon'. To increase or expand rapidly and suddenly in size, amount, or extent.
The company’s expenses ballooned last year after the new project started.
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Verb 2
past tense or past participle of 'balloon'. To cause to swell or puff out (often by filling with air or gas).
They ballooned the decorations for the party until they were all full of helium.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/07 02:54