# aster

/ˈæstɝ/ (US) · /ˈɑːstɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aster
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a small star or a tiny star-like object. It is an old word that people used to describe things that looked like stars in the sky.

For teachers: a small star or a star-like object. Primarily used in archaic or poetic contexts to describe celestial bodies or small, bright points of light.

## Examples

- The poet compared the tiny lights to an aster in the night sky.
- In the old maps, the navigator marked the position of a distant aster to help guide the ship.
- The astronomer noted that the faint glow in the telescope appeared as a single aster, though it was actually a distant galaxy composed of billions of stars.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.