rocket

SayROK-it/ˈɹɑk.ɪt/UK/ˈɹɒk.ɪt/

Pluralrockets

Verbrockets, rocketing, rocketed

16 meanings of rocket

Practice

1
launched vehiclenouncountable
A tall vehicle pushed up by burning fuel, used to fly into space or as a weapon.
Like a giant firework big enough to carry people into space.
The rocket lifted off the launch pad in a cloud of smoke.
Soldiers fired a rocket at the enemy tank.
UsagePeople launch a rocket.
Similarmissile, spacecraft, projectile
2
enginenouncountable
An engine that pushes a craft forward by shooting out hot gas at high speed.
Like a balloon that flies forward when you let the air rush out the back.
The spacecraft fired its rockets to slow down.
The small rocket on the satellite fired to change its path.
Similarengine, thruster, motor
3
fireworknouncountable
A tube packed with powder that shoots high into the sky and bursts into bright colors.
Like a bright flower of light that blooms in the night sky.
We lit a rocket and watched it burst into red and gold sparks.
Every New Year, the kids beg to set off a rocket in the yard.
UsageYou light or set off a rocket.
Similarskyrocket, firework
Note
4
verbintransitive
To go up very fast, like a rocket, or to increase very quickly.
Like a cork shooting up out of a shaken bottle.
The balloon began to rocket upward once the rope was cut.
Thick smoke rocketed up into the sky from the fire.
UsageUse by for the size of an increase: prices rocketed by 20%.
Similarsoar, shoot, skyrocket, surge, zoom
Oppositeplummet, plunge, nosedive
Note
5
speed upverbtransitive or intransitive
To speed up quickly and with great force.
Like a sprinter bursting off the starting line.
The motorcycle rocketed away as soon as the light turned green.
Sled dogs rocket forward the moment the race begins.
UsageSay a car rocketed down the road.
Similarzoom, speed, race, shoot, hurtle
Note
6
verbintransitive
To become famous or successful very quickly.
Like a video that goes from a few views to millions overnight.
The young singer rocketed to fame after one video.
A small shop can rocket to success with the right idea.
UsageSay rocket to fame.
Similarsoar, shoot, skyrocket, zoom
Oppositeplummet, plunge, slump
7
noununcountable
A plant with peppery green leaves eaten in salads. Americans call it arugula.
Like baby spinach, but with a sharp, peppery taste.
She tossed some rocket into the bowl with tomatoes and oil.
Fresh rocket adds a peppery kick to any sandwich.
UsageOften used in a handful of rocket or rocket leaves.
Similararugula
Note
8
nounfigurativelycountable
A ball or object that flies very fast, especially a hard shot in sports.
Like a ball shot from a cannon, too fast to catch.
The striker's shot was a rocket that flew past the keeper.
Her serve was a rocket that the other player barely saw.
UsagePlayers fire a rocket at goal.
Similarscreamer, thunderbolt, bullet, missile

Less common meanings

9
attack a targetverbtransitive
To attack a place or target by firing rockets at it.
Enemy forces rocketed the village before dawn.
Planes rocket the bridge to slow the advancing army.
Similarbombard, shell, blast
10
send into spaceverbtransitive
To send something up into space by carrying it inside a rocket.
Like mailing a package, except the package flies up on a rocket.
The agency plans to rocket supplies to the space station.
They rocketed a small satellite into orbit last year.
Similarlaunch, send, fire
11
telling-offnounslangfigurativelyUKcountable
A strong, angry telling-off for doing something wrong.
Like getting shouted at by a teacher for breaking a rule.
The boss gave him a real rocket for showing up late.
She got a rocket from her coach after missing practice.
UsageSay get a rocket for being told off.
Similarreprimand, rebuke, dressing-down, telling-off, roasting
Note
12
attractive womannoundialectalfigurativelyEastEnglandSouthcountable
A very good-looking woman.
Like saying someone is a real beauty.
Everyone agreed his new girlfriend was a total rocket.
With her long red hair and bright smile, she was a total rocket.
Similarstunner, knockout, looker
Note
13
crazy personnoundialectalfigurativelyScotlandcountable
A silly or crazy person who does foolish things.
Like calling a friend a clown for doing something silly.
You absolute rocket, you locked the keys in the car again!
Only a rocket would drive that fast in the rain.
UsageSay a complete rocket.
Similaridiot, nutter, lunatic, maniac
Note
14
ace (cards)nounslangfigurativelycountable
An ace card in a deck of playing cards.
Like the top card that beats almost everything else.
He was dealt two rockets and could not stop smiling.
She was dealt a pair of rockets and bet big.
UsageIn poker, pocket rockets means two aces dealt to you as your starting cards.
Similarace
Note
15
nounrare
A tall garden plant with spikes of blue or purple flowers, also called rocket larkspur.
16
noun
A blunt tip fitted to a lance so it could knock a rider without cutting him.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of rocket apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–6, 8–14

It comes from Italian rocchetta, which first meant a bobbin. The word goes back to a Germanic root meaning a distaff, a staff used in spinning thread.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Rocket comes from Italian rocchetta, originally meaning a bobbin. en.wikipedia.org
The word ultimately derives from a Germanic word meaning distaff, a staff used in spinning thread. en.wiktionary.org

Meaning 7

It comes from French roquette, from Italian ruchetta, from Latin eruca. It is related to the words arugula and rucola.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

Rocket (the plant name) comes from French roquette. en.wiktionary.org
French roquette comes from Italian ruchetta. en.wiktionary.org
Italian ruchetta ultimately comes from Latin eruca, through ruca. en.wiktionary.org
Rocket is etymologically related to arugula and rucola. en.wiktionary.org