Star
/stɑːr/
Definitions
4 meaningsA luminous celestial body, especially one appearing as a fixed point of light in the night sky.
/stɑːr/
A celestial body
The sun is a star.
💡 Simply: A star is like a giant, glowing ball of gas way, way up in space. It looks like a tiny light in the night sky, and it gives off its own light and heat.
👶 For kids: A star is a big, hot ball of gas in space that makes its own light!
More Examples
Countless stars are visible on a clear night.
How It's Used
"The astronomer observed a distant star through the telescope."
"We looked up at the twinkling stars in the night sky."
A famous or celebrated person, especially in entertainment or sports.
/stɑːr/
A celebrity
The concert will feature a pop star.
💡 Simply: A star is someone really famous, like an actor or singer. They're super well-known and often appear on TV or in movies.
👶 For kids: A star is someone famous and good at things like acting or singing.
More Examples
He became a star after his first movie.
How It's Used
"The movie features a Hollywood star."
"She is a star in the field of medicine."
To feature someone or something in a prominent role.
/stɑːr/
To feature prominently
The play will star a famous actress.
💡 Simply: To star means to be the main person or thing in something, like a movie or a show. It's like being the center of attention!
👶 For kids: If something stars someone, that person is the most important part of it!
More Examples
The new exhibit stars rare paintings.
How It's Used
"The movie stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie."
"The exhibition will star a collection of ancient artifacts."
To mark something with a star or a star-shaped symbol.
/stɑːr/
To mark with a star
Please star the questions you are unsure about.
💡 Simply: To star something means to put a star symbol next to it, often to show it's important or correct.
👶 For kids: If you star something, you put a star symbol next to it.
More Examples
The editor starred the most important points in the document.
How It's Used
"The teacher starred the correct answers."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
star-crossed
Ill-fated; destined to fail; thwarted by fate.
"The star-crossed lovers in the play were doomed from the start."
reach for the stars
To aim high; to strive for ambitious goals; to aspire to achieve great things.
"Despite the challenges, she encouraged her students to reach for the stars."
see stars
To experience a temporary visual sensation of bright spots or lights, typically after a blow to the head.
"After the collision, he saw stars for a moment."
From Old English *steorra*, from Proto-Germanic *sterrō*, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr* ('star').
The word 'star' has been used since Old English times and has consistently referred to a luminous celestial object. Its use as a term for a celebrity is a later development.
Memory tip
Think of a shiny, distant object in space.
Word Origin
"aster (star)"