rock star

noun

plural rock stars

1

: a famous rock musician

From my standpoint, from '72 to '76, I was the ultimate rock star. I couldn't have been more of a rock star. Anything that had to do with being a rock 'n' roll singer was what I was going for.

—David Bowie

He's what I always thought rock stars should be: sexy, dangerous, outrageous, and funny. And at least a little self-aware.

—Doug Brod

2

: a highly accomplished and well-regarded person in a particular field

Locals came streaming across a muddy construction site on the Cooper River to catch a glimpse of the rock star of politics.

—Howard Fineman

The Colchester Boards of Selectmen, Finance and Education are the rock stars of our town's elected government.

—Jason Cohen

For the agency, whose mission is building soil health, Brandt [David Brandt, farmer] has emerged as a kind of rock star. He's a "step ahead of the game."

—Tom Philpott

Pale-faced and bespectacled, the 43-year-old Chudzinski is an emerging rock star in NFL coaching circles.

—David G Fleming

… the day of the celebrity chef is seriously upon us. Chefs have become the rock stars of their generation, and we all long to know them better.

—Ruth Reichl

Examples of rock star in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite decades as a revered rock star, Burke remained humble in recent years. —Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025

With its release, Keery is ready to ditch the fake hair and jumpsuit and step into the spotlight as his own brand of rock star. —EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025

The opposite of a flashy rock star, the rich and famous guitarist had a handful of dark-colored T-shirts, some long-sleeve plaid flannel shirts and a few pairs of pants, all on hangers. —Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025

The 18-year-old, Elson’s first child with her rock star ex-husband Jack White, spent her childhood in Nashville, largely out of the spotlight. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rock star

• adar
• afar
• ajar
• alar
• ansar
• bazaar
• bizarre
• boxcar
• boyar
• bulbar
• cachar
• cigar