costar

1 of 2

noun

co·​star ˈkō-ˌstär 

variants or co-star

plural costars or co-stars

: one of two or more main performers who star in a movie, play, etc.

… the star seems more relaxed and confident, and there's a bracing snap to the byplay between him and his costars.

—Mark Harris

costar

2 of 2

verb

variants or co-star

costarred or co-starred; costarring or co-starring

1

transitive : to employ or present (someone) as one of two or more leading performers in a movie, play, etc.

Directed by Lasse Hallström … and costarring a fine ensemble …

—Leonora Langley

2

intransitive : to appear with another star in a movie, play, etc.

Examples of costar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hayden Panettiere’s famous friends and former costars are speaking out after the news of her death at age 36. — Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026

During an interview with Extra in July, Kidman and her Lioness costar Zoe Saldaña discussed how family time comes first. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Ocean Between Them costars Riverdale’s Karl Walcott, and Dane appears as Ashley, Joan’s youngest daughter, who aids her in the search. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026

Ewan McGregor was excited to finally costar in a movie with Anne Hathaway. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 2