skyrocket

sky +‎ rocket

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈskaɪˌɹɒk.ɪt/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

skyrocket (plural skyrockets)

1. A type of firework that uses a solid rocket engine to rise quickly into the sky where it emits a variety of effects such as stars, bangs, crackles, etc.
2. (by extension) A rebuke, a scolding.
3. (UK, Australia, rhyming slang) pocket.

• (type of firework): maroon

skyrocket (third-person singular simple present skyrockets, present participle skyrocketing, simple past and past participle skyrocketed)

1. (intransitive) To rise or increase suddenly and extremely; to shoot up; to surge or spike.

   The shortage caused prices to skyrocket.

   • 2013 March, David S. Senchina, “Athletics and Herbal Supplements”, in American Scientist‎, volume 101, number 2, archived from the original on 16 May 2013, page 134:

     Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent.

   • 2022 October 5, Lauren Harby, “What We Know About Celine Dion's Health Battle”, in The List‎:

     Her career skyrocketed to new heights with the debut of her years-long Las Vegas residencies.

   • 2024 April 3, Richard Foster, “Training the next generation of engineers”, in RAIL, number 1006, page 51:

     The cost of keeping historic machinery operational has skyrocketed.

2. (transitive) To cause to increase suddenly and extremely.
   • 2014, Carrie Denny, The Bride's Instruction Manual, page 117:

     This is an area you'll have to work out in precise detail, as it's the area most likely to skyrocket your costs—or, without careful planning, leave you with thirsty guests.

• plummet