What does superstar mean?
A superstar is a person who has achieved exceptional fame, popularity, or success, especially in entertainment or sport. The word combines the everyday sense of a very successful performer with the idea of a star as a brilliant astronomical body, giving it an impression of exceptional brightness and importance. It is widely used in informal contexts such as journalism, publicity, and everyday conversation: a singer, athlete, actor, or television personality may be described as a superstar. The word can also be used more broadly for something that has become exceptionally popular or influential within a specialized field. Although largely complimentary, the term can sometimes sound exaggerated or promotional, especially in advertising and celebrity coverage.
A person who is exceptionally famous and successful, especially a performer, athlete, or public figure.
"The actress was already a superstar before she made her film debut."
Usually informal and often used in entertainment, sport, or celebrity contexts.
To perform or behave in the manner of a highly successful star.
"The group superstarred at the festival to an enthusiastic crowd."
Informal and relatively uncommon compared with the noun.
The regular plural is used for multiple exceptionally famous or successful people or things.
"The magazine profiles several of the year's biggest superstars."
A superstar is someone whose fame has become so powerful that even the word for a celestial object seems too ordinary to describe them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does superstar come from?
“Superstar” is a compound formed in the early 20th century from the prefix super-, meaning greater or exceptional, and star. The word originally referred to a performer of exceptional prominence. Its second element belongs to the same broad word family as stellar, astral, constellation, and stellate, all of which trace to Latin stella, “star.”
How superstar is actually used
The term is informal and commonly used in entertainment, sport, and popular culture. It usually suggests exceptional public recognition, although it can sometimes be used more broadly for a person or thing that is especially successful or influential.
Easily confused with superstar
As a noun, a superstar is a person who has achieved exceptional fame or success, while the verb means to act or perform in the manner of a highly successful star.