noun
starburst
Starburst (noun) means a sudden burst or explosion, or a star-shaped pattern of light suggesting one. Example: “Fireworks lit the sky with bright starbursts of colour.”
noun
1
A sudden burst or explosion, or a star-shaped pattern of light suggesting one.
"Fireworks lit the sky with bright starbursts of colour."
2
In astronomy, a region or period of unusually intense star formation.
"The Milky Way will see a starburst in approximately 200,000,000 years."
"Astronomers spotted a starburst galaxy producing new stars at an incredible rate."
How to use starburst
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA burst of light or activity that radiates outward like a star, used both for visual effects and for regions of space making lots of new stars.
Common pairings
starburst pattern
starburst galaxy
starburst effect
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Word forms
- Plural
- starbursts
- Third person singular
- starbursts
- Past tense
- starbursted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Fireworks lit the sky with bright _____ of colour.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "star" + "burst," describing something that bursts outward in a star-like pattern.
Frequently asked questions
What does “starburst” mean?
The word “starburst” means a sudden burst or explosion, or a star-shaped pattern of light suggesting one. In plain terms, a burst of light or activity that radiates outward like a star, used both for visual effects and for regions of space making lots of new stars.
How do you use “starburst” in a sentence?
Here is “starburst” used in a sentence: “Fireworks lit the sky with bright starbursts of colour.”
What part of speech is “starburst”?
“Starburst” is a noun.
How many meanings does “starburst” have?
“Starburst” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden burst or explosion, or a star-shaped pattern of light suggesting one.
