noun

Starfighter

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Starfighter (noun) means the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, a real Cold War-era jet fighter aircraft designed for very high speed and altitude. Example: “The airbase museum has a retired F-104 Starfighter on display.”

noun

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, a real Cold War-era jet fighter aircraft designed for very high speed and altitude.

"The airbase museum has a retired F-104 Starfighter on display."

In science fiction, a small, fast spacecraft built for combat, flown much like a fighter jet but in space.

"The pilot climbed into her starfighter as the alarm sounded across the fleet."

"The film's space battle featured dozens of starfighters weaving between capital ships."

How to use Starfighter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a real Cold War jet fighter, or a fictional fighter-style spaceship in sci-fi.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Starfighters

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The airbase museum has a retired F-104 _____ on display.

Etymology

From "star" plus "fighter," first as the name of a real 1950s jet, later borrowed by science fiction for space-combat craft.

· First attested 1950

Class of 1950 Starfighter joined the language around 1950.

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See the full Class of 1950 →

Rhymes for Starfighter

fighter lighter blighter freighter gunfighter straighter firefighter bullfighter

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Starfighter” mean?

The word “Starfighter” means the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, a real Cold War-era jet fighter aircraft designed for very high speed and altitude. In plain terms, either a real Cold War jet fighter, or a fictional fighter-style spaceship in sci-fi.

How do you use “Starfighter” in a sentence?

Here is “Starfighter” used in a sentence: “The airbase museum has a retired F-104 Starfighter on display.”

What part of speech is “Starfighter”?

“Starfighter” is a noun.

Where does the word “Starfighter” come from?

The word “Starfighter” dates back to around 1950. From "star" plus "fighter," first as the name of a real 1950s jet, later borrowed by science fiction for space-combat craft.

How many meanings does “Starfighter” have?

“Starfighter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, a real Cold War-era jet fighter aircraft designed for very high speed and altitude.