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

Modern-rock star comes to Orlando with new music and a phone-free show. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Parton recorded a rock album featuring collaborations with numerous real-life rock stars, including Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Pink, Brandi Carlile and surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, per American Songwriter. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Now, Kaya travels with Rossdale on the road, spends his days getting plenty of exercise and attention, and has become the catalyst for the rock star’s increasingly vocal advocacy for shelter animals. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026

There’s a ’70s rock star element to his appearance, but his rhythm on stage is that of a jazz musician never knowing what note is coming next. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rock star

• adar
• afar
• ajar
• alar
• alvar
• bazaar
• bizarre
• boxcar
• boyar
• bulbar
• cachar
• cigar