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

The veteran rock star and his interior designer wife, Emilie Keuning, subsequently gave the place a full makeover, and, after hitting the market in June with a nearly $14 million ask, the house quickly sold to Pitt at a substantial discount. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025

Last week, a procession of thousands walked the streets of Birmingham, England, to honor the legendary rock star as the hearse and accompanying vehicles made their way to the Black Sabbath bridge and bench. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Hundreds of the rock star's fans came out to pay their respects during his funeral procession in Birmingham on July 30. —Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025

What rock star couple famously attracted attention when the IRS filed tax liens against their property in 2011? —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

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