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

The actor also nabbed Emmy, Critics’ Choice Award and Golden Globe nominations for his role as rock star Tommy Lee in Pam & Tommy. —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025

The Marilyn Monroe–loving Gala dates a rock star and earns admiration for having the warmth and joie de vivre that Lane lacks. —Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025

Ted Wass plays Bobby, a would-be rock star who offers to sell his soul for success. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

Reflecting and Changing The other 30-some-odd runners who already finished are upstairs at the restaurant of the Hotel Bob Marley, where local legend says the reggae rock star once dined. —Joe Baur, Outside, 31 Oct. 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