[bəˈluːn], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a small coloured rubber bag that is inflated with air and then sealed at the neck, used as a child's toy or a decoration
(e.g: the room was festooned with balloons and streamers)

- a large bag filled with hot air or gas to make it rise in the air, typically one carrying a basket for passengers
(e.g: he set his sights on crossing the Pacific by balloon)

- a rounded outline in which the words or thoughts of characters in a comic strip or cartoon are written
(e.g: a balloon reading ‘Ka-Pow!’)

- a large rounded drinking glass, used especially for brandy
(e.g: a balloon of armagnac)

- a stupid person


Phrases:
- when the balloon goes up

Origin:
late 16th century (originally denoting a game played with a large inflated leather ball): from French ballon or Italian ballone ‘large ball’

[bəˈluːn], (Verb)

Definitions:
- swell out in a spherical shape
(e.g: the trousers ballooned out below his waist)

- (of an amount of money spent or owed) increase rapidly
(e.g: the company's debt has ballooned in the last five years)

- (with reference to a ball) lob or be lobbed high in the air
(e.g: the ball ballooned into the air)

- travel by hot-air balloon
(e.g: he is famous for ballooning across oceans)


Phrases:
- when the balloon goes up

Origin:
late 16th century (originally denoting a game played with a large inflated leather ball): from French ballon or Italian ballone ‘large ball’