supernova

//ˌsuː.pəˈnoʊ.və//
C1Frequency Level 11Technical
Visual representation of supernova

Noun

supernovaSingular
supernovaePlural
1

A powerful and luminous explosion that occurs when a massive star reaches the end of its life cycle, briefly outshining entire galaxies and radiating more energy than the sun will emit over its entire lifetime.

Astronomers observed a supernova that briefly outshone all the other stars in its galaxy.

2

(figurative) A person or thing that achieves sudden, spectacular, and often short-lived success or brilliance.

She was a supernova in the fashion world, but her fame faded within a year.