Squib
noun
A small firework that burns with a hissing sound before exploding.
He lit the squib and waited for it to explode.
Often appears as...
- light a squib
- wet squib
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A small or unimportant person, thing, or event.
The band's reunion was a squib compared to their previous concerts.
Often appears as...
- damp squib
- wet squib
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A short humorous or satiric writing or speech.
His squibs in the school magazine always made us laugh.
Often appears as...
- satirical squib
- political squib
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A short piece of satirical writing in a newspaper or magazine.
The editor included a squib about the politician's mishap.
Often appears as...
- newspaper squib
- magazine squib
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A small firework that burns with a hissing sound before exploding.
He lit the squib and waited for it to explode.
Often appears as...
- light a squib
- wet squib
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A small or unimportant person, thing, or event.
The band's reunion was a squib compared to their previous concerts.
Often appears as...
- damp squib
- wet squib
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A short humorous or satiric writing or speech.
His squibs in the school magazine always made us laugh.
Often appears as...
- satirical squib
- political squib
Usage tips
Literary
noun
A short piece of satirical writing in a newspaper or magazine.
The editor included a squib about the politician's mishap.
Often appears as...
- newspaper squib
- magazine squib
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Firework Caution
Remember 'squib' can refer to fireworks, so use cautiously to avoid confusion with serious use.
Be careful with that squib; it's not a toy!
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Loud
'Squib' implies a hissing sound, but the explosion may not be loud.
The squib hissed but barely made a noise when it popped.
Pro Tip 3/3Underwhelming Result
A 'squib' sometimes disappoints, meaning events may not meet expectations.
The finale was just a squib; everyone expected more.
Pro Tip 1/3Firework Caution
Remember 'squib' can refer to fireworks, so use cautiously to avoid confusion with serious use.
Be careful with that squib; it's not a toy!
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Loud
'Squib' implies a hissing sound, but the explosion may not be loud.
The squib hissed but barely made a noise when it popped.
Pro Tip 3/3Underwhelming Result
A 'squib' sometimes disappoints, meaning events may not meet expectations.
The finale was just a squib; everyone expected more.
Pro Tip 1/3Firework Caution
Remember 'squib' can refer to fireworks, so use cautiously to avoid confusion with serious use.
Be careful with that squib; it's not a toy!
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Loud
'Squib' implies a hissing sound, but the explosion may not be loud.
The squib hissed but barely made a noise when it popped.
Pro Tip 3/3Underwhelming Result
A 'squib' sometimes disappoints, meaning events may not meet expectations.
The finale was just a squib; everyone expected more.
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Video examples
Safari Live - Day 23 PIPE...
a bit of a damp squib really the storm he stopped us certainly and we put our covers on just sort of drizzled a bit anyway we had a cup of coffee in our tin - now it's cleared up so they're carrying on the cats were going to just
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 23 PIPE...
a bit of a damp squib really the storm he stopped us certainly and we put our covers on just sort of drizzled a bit anyway we had a cup of coffee in our tin - now it's cleared up so they're carrying on the cats were going to just
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
George A. Romero
American Director
When you are working with low budgets and you have a gunshot with a squib and it goes wrong - the gun flash does not synchronize with the squib or whatever - it takes half an hour or 40 minutes to clean it all up and reset it. It's much easier to use a computer to paint in the flash and splatter.
Quote examples
Duncan Jones
English Director
Even before 'Moon,' I did a short film called 'Whistle,' and it had a lot of the things that I thought I would need to be able to do on a feature film: I shot on location, there was special FX work, there was stunt work, we used squibs, I shot on 35 mm film.
Quote examples
George A. Romero
American Director
When you are working with low budgets and you have a gunshot with a squib and it goes wrong - the gun flash does not synchronize with the squib or whatever - it takes half an hour or 40 minutes to clean it all up and reset it. It's much easier to use a computer to paint in the flash and splatter.
Quote examples
Duncan Jones
English Director
Even before 'Moon,' I did a short film called 'Whistle,' and it had a lot of the things that I thought I would need to be able to do on a feature film: I shot on location, there was special FX work, there was stunt work, we used squibs, I shot on 35 mm film.
Example 1 of 2
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