star

¹star

noun, often attributive \ˈstär\

Definition of STAR

1

a : a natural luminous body visible in the sky especially at night b : a self-luminous gaseous spheroidal celestial body of great mass which produces energy by means of nuclear fusion reactions

2

a (1) : a planet or a configuration of the planets that is held in astrology to influence one's destiny or fortune —usually used in plural (2) : a waxing or waning fortune or fame <her star was rising> b obsolete : destiny

3

a : a conventional figure with five or more points that represents a star; especially : asterisk b : an often star-shaped ornament or medal worn as a badge of honor, authority, or rank or as the insignia of an order c : one of a group of conventional stars used to place something in a scale of value

4

: something resembling a star <was hit on the head and saw stars>

5

a : the principal member of a theatrical or operatic company who usually plays the chief roles b : a highly publicized theatrical or motion-picture performer c : an outstandingly talented performer <a track star> d : a person who is preeminent in a particular field

— star·less \-ləs\ adjective

— star·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of STAR

1. They gazed up at the stars.
2. There are billions of stars in the universe.
3. I'm glad we didn't use the tent. It's so much nicer to sleep outside under the stars.
4. The restaurant was awarded four stars for excellence.
5. Critics give the movie three stars.

Origin of STAR

Middle English sterre, from Old English steorra; akin to Old High German sterno star, Latin stella, Greek astēr, astron

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to STAR

Synonyms: luminary, sphere, sun

Antonyms: nobody, noncelebrity

Related Words: cluster, constellation, galaxy; binary star, brown dwarf, dwarf, fixed star, gasser, giant star, lodestar (also loadstar), neutron star, nova, pulsar, quasar, red dwarf, red giant, red star, subdwarf, supercluster, supergiant, supernova, variable, variable star, white dwarf

Near Antonyms: extra, supernumerary

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

Rhymes with STAR

ar, are, bar, barre, car, char, czar, far, gar, gnar, guar, jar, Lar, mar, moire, noir, our, par, parr, Parr, R, Saar, scar, spar, SPAR, tar, tahr, yare