Balloon Definition Balloon Definition 1

Balloon (noun) — a colorful bag filled with gas or air, used to decorate rooms for special occasions, like birthdays, opening a store, and more.

Part of speech:
Noun (countable)
Phonetic transcription (IPA):
/bəˈluːn/
CEFR level:
A1
Word frequency:

How to Pronounce “Balloon”?

flag uk Audio (UK):
Play
00:00 / 00:00
flag us Audio (US):
Play
00:00 / 00:00
Tips for “balloon” pronunciation: 

this word is similar to “blue,” but with a long o and a strong n.

Level up your English with Koto!

How to Use “Balloon” in a Sentence?

The “balloon” description is clear once you see the examples of real-life usage.

There is a large balloon at the store that says “50% off”!
The boy is walking around with a balloon in his hand.
This new shop gives balloons to every customer!
We need to buy balloons for our son’s birthday.
Did you watch that movie with a clown and a red balloon?

What Are Synonyms for the Word “Balloon”?

“Balloon” synonyms are great for your English improvement. They help you to avoid repeating this word in every sentence.

Related nouns: airship inflatable

Synonyms (contextual): gasbag bubble

Common collocations: pop a balloon blue balloon play with a balloon

“Balloon” Word Formation and Description in Context

To put “balloon” in sentences, you need to learn how to combine it with other parts of speech, just like in the examples below.

With adjectives: a small balloon a yellow balloon a beautiful balloon

With verbs: blow up a balloon hit a balloon a balloon floats

With nouns (noun + noun): balloon party balloon rally balloon flight

Idioms and Phrases with “Balloon”

You may be wondering if there is only one answer to, “What does ‘balloon’ mean?” Sometimes, it can be tricky. Just like in the phrases you will read.

  • The balloon goes up — describes a situation that looks like becoming more serious.

    Fred thinks that the balloon will go up when they publish the final grades.
  • Burst (a/one’s) balloon — remind someone about the reality.

    I am sorry to burst your balloon, Kitty. We can’t spend $100 on cookies.
Balloon Idioma Balloon Idioma 1
  • Float a trial balloon — ask someone to tell their opinion about your idea, thought, or else.

    Dad said it would be nice to spend Christmas in a village. He is just floating a trial balloon.

Balloon Meaning Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Let’s check if you can define a “balloon” in sentences with our fun activities. Check three exercises with answers and grow your vocabulary. 

Type 1: True/false statements:
Choose the correct answer:
1
Balloons can fly.
2
You can use balloons to decorate your room.
3
Children can play with a balloon.
Type 2: Right word order:
Put these chaotic words in order to make sentences with the word “balloon”:
1
cute
The
balloon
is
2
the
Maria
balloon
chases
3
holds
Anna
green
the
balloon
Type 3: Choose the correct option
Select the one closest in meaning:
1
The situation seems to have become serious. What idiom can be used here?
2
My son let the balloon go. What happened to the balloon?
3
The store decided to decorate its new location. What can they use?

Enjoy personalized learning!

“Balloon” Word in Other Languages

You get the “balloon” spelling in English, but what about other languages that are popular in Europe? Learn how they differ and what they have in common.

Language Word for “Balloon”
Flag Spanish Spanish   Globo
Flag French French   Ballon
Flag German German   Luftballon/Ballon

Did You Know It? Fun Facts About “Balloon”

The description of a “balloon” hides many unusual facts, like how many bubbles one person can blow up in one hour. Let’s find out.

  • Hunter Ewen blew up 910 balloons in one hour, setting the world record.

    According to the Guinness World Records, a citizen from Allenspark in the USA hit this record twice: in 2010 and 2015.
  • The cartoon “Up” can actually become true.

    A movie where a man lifts up his house with balloons is known worldwide. One project made it real, and it took 2 weeks for them to make a house fly with balloons filled with helium.
  • One man crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a helium balloon.

    His name is Col. Joe Kittinger, and he did it in 1984, reaching a distance of over 5,000 km.
  • Helium balloon flights can reach extraordinary distances.

    Historical records show that long-distance journeys by balloon have pushed the limits of human endurance, proving that balloons can be more than simple toys and can even become tools for exploration.

Famous Quotes Featuring “Balloon”

Balloons are beautiful, colorful, and free to fly. Authors in many books use this word and you can see it a lot. Here are some of them.

“I’d be smiling and chatting away, and my mind would be floating around somewhere else, like a balloon with a broken string.”

Haruki Murakami

Explanation: The author describes the experience of a human being distracted from one action by their thoughts. Here, it is like a balloon flying around, just like our minds.

“Hope is a helium balloon. It is a wish lantern set out into the dark sky of night.”

— Sharon Weil

Explanation: This poetic quote tells about the hope that rises like a balloon and makes hard situations easier.

“I don’t need a date. Last time I went to a dance I didn’t have a date and I was totally fine. I just danced with a balloon.”

Katy Birchall

Explanation: Being playful, this phrase is all about a human being fine with themselves, like if they don’t have someone to dance with, but still have fun.