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Definition

An accelerating growth of magnitude, including fame, fortune, importance, or danger.

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Origins

By analogy with the way that a growing snowball collects snow faster and faster as it is rolled along.

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In Context

  • "The success of these women has had the snowball effect of bringing more and more women into the sport over the past few years."
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See Also

  • butterfly effect
  • chain reaction
  • domino effect
  • exponential growth
  • positive feedback
  • slippery slope
  • snowballing