superstar

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who is extremely famous and successful, especially in entertainment or sport.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a superstar' or 'the superstars of the team'.

   Patterns

   • a superstar in something
   • become a superstar
   • an international superstar

   The young singer became a superstar almost overnight.

   Fans waited outside the hotel to see the basketball superstar.

   She is a superstar in the world of classical music.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   Someone who is exceptionally good at their job or activity, used informally as praise.

   Grammar: Countable and informal; often used with 'be' and a possessive, as in 'You're a superstar'.

   Patterns

   • be a superstar
   • a real superstar

   Thanks for staying late to finish the report—you're a superstar.

   Our math teacher is a superstar; she makes every lesson clear.

Word forms

Common combinations

international superstar

The international superstar drew huge crowds on tour.

rock superstar

He was a rock superstar in the 1980s.

become a superstar

She became a superstar after her first hit song.

superstar status

The film gave him superstar status.

Synonyms and how they differ

celebrity

Celebrity means someone famous, often for being well known rather than for talent; superstar suggests a higher level of fame and success.

megastar

Megastar is similar but stronger and more informal, used for the most famous performers.

idol

Idol is someone greatly admired, especially by fans; superstar focuses on fame and success rather than admiration.

Opposites

Word family

superstardom noun

The state of being a superstar.

Commonly confused: superstar or super?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “superstar”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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