superstar
SOO-puh-stah
Superstar (noun) means someone extremely famous; a top-tier celebrity. Example: “The concert sold out within minutes because a real superstar was headlining.”
noun
1
Someone extremely famous; a top-tier celebrity.
"The concert sold out within minutes because a real superstar was headlining."
"She went from unknown singer to global superstar in a year."
"Fans waited outside the hotel for hours hoping to glimpse the superstar."
2
An outstandingly good employee or performer.
"He's a superstar on this team — always exceeding targets."
"Our new designer is a real superstar who solves problems before anyone notices them."
"The manager called her a superstar after she trained the whole department in a week."
How to use superstar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person at the very top of fame or performance, whether in entertainment or at work.
Common pairings
a bona fide superstar
office superstar
become a superstar
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Word forms
- Plural
- superstars
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The concert sold out within minutes because a real _____ was headlining.
Etymology
From super- + star.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “superstar” mean?
The word “superstar” means someone extremely famous; a top-tier celebrity. In plain terms, a person at the very top of fame or performance, whether in entertainment or at work.
How do you pronounce “superstar”?
“Superstar” is pronounced SOO-puh-stah (/ˈsu.pɚˌstɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “superstar” in a sentence?
Here is “superstar” used in a sentence: “The concert sold out within minutes because a real superstar was headlining.”
What part of speech is “superstar”?
“Superstar” is a noun.
Is “superstar” a common word?
“Superstar” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “superstar” have?
“Superstar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone extremely famous; a top-tier celebrity.
What is the difference between a superstar and a celebrity?
A superstar is someone extremely famous, a top-tier celebrity whose fame stands out even among well-known people. A celebrity is a broader term for anyone publicly recognized, while "superstar" is reserved for the most prominent, widely admired figures at the very top.
Is "superstar" hyphenated?
No, "superstar" is standardly written as one solid word without a hyphen or space. This holds whether it is used for a famous celebrity or, figuratively, for an outstandingly good employee or performer.
Can "superstar" be used for someone who isn't famous?
Yes, "superstar" is also used figuratively to describe an outstandingly good employee or performer, such as calling a top salesperson "a real superstar," even if they have no public fame at all. In this sense it simply signals exceptional skill or achievement.
