stellar

adjective

stel·​lar ˈste-lər How to pronounce stellar (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to the stars : astral
b
: composed of stars
2
: of or relating to a theatrical or film star
stellar names
3
a
: principal, leading
a stellar role
b
: outstanding
a stellar performance

Did you know?

Stella, the Latin word for "star," shines brightly in the word constellation, but stella words have been favored by scientists to describe earthly things as much as heavenly bodies. Stellar was once used to mean "star-shaped." That use is no longer current, but today biologists and geologists might use one of these synonyms: stellular, stellate, and stelliform. Poets, too, have looked to stella. John Milton used stellar in its infancy when he wrote in Paradise Lost "these soft fires … shed down their stellar virtue." Stellar shot into its leading role as a synonym of star (as when we say "stellar pupil") in the late 1800s.

Examples of stellar in a Sentence

the rate of stellar expansion The movie has a stellar cast.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To be sure, this type of nostalgia and wistful reflection speaks to a real-life community that often doesn’t get exposure on TV, which is part of the reason this series gets such stellar (confoundingly so, to some critics) ratings. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2024 There aren’t a ton of reviews yet since the set just dropped but the ones there are stellar (as usual with a Lego kit). Clint Davis, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Hewas called up from the minors in 2010, beginning what would be a stellar 12-year career with Atlanta. Sam Joseph, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024 However, running back Joe Mixon has been stellar, rushing for over 100 yards in three straight games since returning from his own injury. Steve Fini, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stellar 

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin stellaris, from Latin stella star — more at star

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stellar was circa 1656

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Dictionary Entries Near stellar

Cite this Entry

“Stellar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stellar. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

stellar

adjective
stel·​lar ˈstel-ər How to pronounce stellar (audio)
1
: of or relating to the stars
stellar light
2
a
: principal entry 1, leading
a stellar role
b
: outstanding sense 3
a stellar performance

More from Merriam-Webster on stellar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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