has-been

noun

ˈhaz-ˌbin 

-ˌben

chiefly British -ˌbēn

: one that has passed the peak of effectiveness or popularity

a washed-up has-been

—often used before another noun

a has-been Hollywood actor

Synonyms of has-been

• relic
• dinosaur

Examples of has-been in a Sentence

now a has-been, the actor's been reduced to appearing on a third-rate reality show

Recent Examples on the Web

The manuscript Wayne read to us that night chronicled his involvement with Gloria Swanson, the towering star of Hollywood’s Golden Age who enjoyed latter-day acclaim in 1950 playing a delusional has-been in Sunset Boulevard. — Mike Hogan, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026

That career move quickly fizzled, leaving a sloppy drunk has-been in the debris. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Fans and the industry at large seemed to doubt her viability as a performer and were starting to regard her as a washed-up has-been. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Brett Goldstein’s seething has-been, Roy Kent, has replaced Ted as the men’s coach; Beard (co-creator Brendan Hunt) stuck around to assist Roy but has gone feral in the absence of his professional soulmate. — Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for has-been

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

Kids Definition

has-been

noun

ˈhaz-ˌbin

: one that has passed the peak of ability, power, or popularity