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

While Chopra Jonas tapped hairstylist Irinel de León to craft her bombshell blowout for the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards in January, the on-screen star worked with Bridget Brager on her trendy, rock star hair for the Tuesday premiere. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026

The reception was like a rock star had just walked in. —Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026

Thomas Sandgaard's website describes him as an inventor, entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and rock star. —Olivia Young, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026

In San Diego County, the Padres are rock stars. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 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