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

But even rock stars have been dinged by real estate sticker shock in South Florida. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024

While known as rock stars to most, these musicians also hold another very special title: Dad! —Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024

More after-parties: In addition to the traditional opening and closing night celebrations, attendees will have at least two other opportunities to party like a rock star. —Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2024

See the little ones — and now not-so-little ones — that made these rock stars dads! —Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1