What does skyrocketing mean?
“Skyrocketing” describes something that is rising with extraordinary speed, especially a price, demand, salary, number of sales, or level of popularity. The expression is vivid and deliberately hyperbolic: it suggests that the increase is so steep and noticeable that it seems to shoot toward the sky. It is widely used in business, news, and informal conversation, often with subjects such as prices, costs, demand, revenues, and traffic. Although the word can describe any rapid increase, it usually implies that the change is unusual, dramatic, or potentially difficult to manage. In sentences such as “interest is skyrocketing,” it functions as a present-participle form of the verb “skyrocket”; when placed before a noun, as in “skyrocketing demand,” it functions as an adjective.
To increase or rise very rapidly, especially to a strikingly high level.
"Subscriptions skyrocketed after the advertisement aired."
Commonly used in journalism, business, and informal speech; it often conveys a dramatic or alarming rate of increase.
Characterized by a very rapid and dramatic increase.
"The firm reported skyrocketing demand for its latest product."
This attributive form is especially common before nouns such as “prices,” “demand,” “costs,” and “sales.”
A skyrocketing value climbs so quickly that the metaphor brings the sky itself into the price tag.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of skyrocketing
“Skyrocket” combines “sky” with “rocket,” using the older figurative sense of a rocket’s rapid ascent to suggest a dramatic upward movement. “Rocket” entered English through Italian and French, ultimately referring to a type of explosive projectile and earlier forms associated with the vertical burning of combustible material. Modern forms such as “rocketry” and “rocketer” developed from the same lexical root, while “skyrocket” became especially common in the figurative language of prices and business during the 20th century.
Related word forms
How skyrocketing is actually used
This word is informal and strongly hyperbolic, suggesting a sharp increase that is unusual or attention-grabbing. It is commonly used in journalism, business, and everyday conversation.
Easily confused with skyrocketing
“Skyrocketing” emphasizes an exceptionally rapid increase, whereas “rocketing” more often suggests very fast upward movement or progress.