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

At a long-time pal’s wedding, a reluctant Danny ends up taking the stage with the event’s actually pretty great wedding band, led by former wannabe rock star Rick (Rudd). —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026

For all 11 songs, the 35-year-old indie rock star assumes the character of a recluse in a messy house. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 Mar. 2026

The 65-year-old actress and the rock star separated in 2001. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 Mar. 2026

The Kimbell Art Museum announced Thursday the appointment of Emerson Bowyer as chief curator, a specialist in 18th and 19th British and French art considered by his peers to be a rock star in the field. —James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026

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