ENGLISH
REFERENCE

starred

v. · adj.
US //ˈstɑɹd// UK //stˈɑːd// starred
  1. 1 acted in a lead role (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Theatre

    played the most important character in a film, play, or show.

    performed the principal role in a theatrical or cinematic production.

    Example

    She starred in several famous movies before she decided to become a director.

    Example

    The young actor starred in the critically acclaimed drama, earning several nominations for his nuanced portrayal of the protagonist.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'in'.
  2. 2 decorated with stars (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    having a pattern of stars or being marked with a star symbol.

    decorated, marked, or patterned with star shapes or celestial motifs.

    Example

    The child looked up at the starred ceiling of the museum's space room.

    Example

    The knight wore a starred cloak that shimmered under the torchlight, representing the constellations of the northern sky.
  3. 3 marked for importance (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    marked with a star symbol to show that something is important or special.

    marked with an asterisk or star symbol to denote significance, a high rating, or a specific requirement.

    Example

    Please pay extra attention to the starred items on the list.

    Example

    The starred entries in the catalogue indicate items that are currently on sale or available for immediate dispatch.
Etymology 1

From star (verb), equivalent to star + -ed.

Etymology 2

From Middle English sterred, equivalent to star (noun) + -ed.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026