WordGarden.iostar
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /stˈɑː/
US
- /ˈstɑr/
Meanings
Noun
a massive luminous body in space that appears in the night sky
a famous and admired performer, athlete, or public figure
a star-shaped figure or symbol, often used decoratively or as a rating mark
Verb
to appear as the main performer in a film, show, or play
to mark an item with a star in an app or online service to save or highlight it
Adjective
outstanding or especially important within a group or activity
Beyond the definition
A star can be one of the bright objects we see in the night sky, including the Sun. But it is also a word we use for someone famous or very talented. Think movie stars, pop stars, and rising stars. It can also be a shape; a five-pointed star is often seen on flags, decorations, and signs.
If you say someone is a star, you mean they are excellent or the best part of something. A chef might be called a star, or an athlete could be a rising star in a sport. The word can also be a verb: an actor can star in a film or a singer can star in a show. And if someone says they are "seeing stars" after hitting their head, they mean they are seeing flashes of light.
The word "star" has several meanings, from space to fame. First, a star is one of the bright objects in the sky at night. In science, stars are huge bodies in space that give off light and heat, and the Sun is one of them. "The North Star guided sailors for centuries."
But "star" is not only about astronomy. We also use it for a famous or very talented person, such as a movie star, a sports star, or a rising star who is starting to get attention. It can also mean the main or best person in a group, event, or performance. "She was the star of the show."
The word can also name the pointed shape used on flags, badges, and decorations. In writing and online apps, a star can be a mark that shows something is important, liked, or saved for later. It is also used in rating systems, such as when a hotel has five stars.
As a verb, "to star" means to be the main performer in a film, play, or show. "She starred in a popular TV series." And in the expression "see stars," it means to notice flashes of light, often after being hit or feeling sudden pain.
So whether you are looking at the night sky, talking about a celebrity, picking out a shape, or naming the lead actor in a show, "star" is a flexible word that appears in many everyday situations.
Examples
- 1
Night sky
We lay on the grass and watched the stars appear.
- 2
Film career
She became a movie star after her first big role.
- 3
Sports team
Leo is the star of the team this year.
- 4
Acting role
She starred in a popular crime drama.
- Patternstar in + film/show
act in it as one of the main performers
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Study marking
Put a star next to the topics you need to study again.
- 6
Digital messages
I starred the email so I could find it later.
- 7
Hotel rating
It's a five-star hotel, so the rooms are expensive.
- Phrasefive-star
of very high quality
- 8
Classroom reward
Our teacher gave me a gold star for helping clean up.
- Phrasea gold star
a small reward for good work
- 9
Luck idiom
Thank your lucky stars we left early.
- Phrasethank your lucky stars
be glad you were lucky
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- starnounverbadjective
Forms
- starspluralnounverbadjective
- starring-ing formverbnounadjective
- starredpast tenseverbnounadjective