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> All those "5 meteorites to pass by Earth this month" title makers never hit earth.

100% of all meteorites hit the Earth, by definition.

I think you mean “meteor”.

By that definition, would a meteor that vaporizes in our atmosphere before impact just be considered a meteor?

Asteroid, meteor, meteorite, aerolite

I'd like to know if someone else knows other variations

Asteroid: rock in space

Meteor: asteroid in atmosphere (falling generally)

Meteorite: meteor which touched ground

Aerolite: rock in atmosphere (be it flying, falling, levitating or otherwise)

Comet: Icyspace rock, comma and ejecta are not strictly necessary

Meteoroid: rock in space smaller than asteroid.