Word
stardust
Phoneticsstar·dust, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɑɹˌdəst/
UK/stˈɑːdʌst/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. tiny pieces of matter from space that come from stars. In a more poetic way, it describes a magical feeling or the special quality that makes someone famous and exciting.
n. cosmic dust consisting of particles ejected from stars; figuratively, a magical or glamorous quality that surrounds a person or event.
Examples
“The actress seemed to have a bit of stardust around her.”
“Scientists analyzed the ancient stardust trapped within the meteorite to learn about the early solar system.”
“The young politician arrived with enough stardust to captivate the cynical press corps, though critics questioned whether his policies had any substance behind the charm.”
Examples
simple
“The actress seemed to have a bit of stardust around her.”
contextual
“Scientists analyzed the ancient stardust trapped within the meteorite to learn about the early solar system.”
complex
“The young politician arrived with enough stardust to captivate the cynical press corps, though critics questioned whether his policies had any substance behind the charm.”
Usage
Primarily uncountable; when used figuratively, it often appears in contexts involving celebrity, romance, or theater.
Real-World Examples
“Celebrity stardust is obviously important for getting attention for the prize, and there’s always been a celeb on each panel.” “Not every undergraduate Shakespeare show at the Edinburgh fringe makes headlines but this one brings stardust by association.” Etymology
From star + dust.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
The word in film
Stardust · 2007 · Fantasy
- Directed by:
- Matthew Vaughn
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Peter O'Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer
Matthew Vaughn directed this fantasy adventure about a young man who enters a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star. The title highlights the enchanting and celestial nature of the star, which has taken the form of a woman.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/stardust