all-star: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “all-star” mean?
A team or event composed of the most outstanding performers or players in a particular field, especially sports or entertainment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A team or event composed of the most outstanding performers or players in a particular field, especially sports or entertainment.
An individual who has achieved the highest level of recognition or excellence in their profession or activity; something that features or is composed of such top-tier individuals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
While the core meaning is identical, the concept and associated events (like the MLB All-Star Game) are more culturally embedded in the US, particularly in professional sports leagues. British usage is common in sports journalism but often refers to US-centric events. The term is also used in British contexts for entertainment (e.g., 'all-star cast').
Connotations
Primarily positive, denoting elite status and public recognition. Can occasionally be used sarcastically to imply a collection of famous but underperforming individuals (e.g., 'an all-star team of failure').
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to the prominence of 'all-star' events in major sports (NBA, MLB, NFL). Widely understood and used in British English, but with slightly lower frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “all-star” in a Sentence
be elected to the all-star teamfeature an all-star casthost the all-star gamebe named an all-starassemble an all-star lineupVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “all-star” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To all-star is not a standard verb form.
American English
- The term is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- The term is not used as an adverb.
American English
- The term is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The charity match boasted an all-star lineup of former football legends.
- It was a truly all-star performance from the orchestra.
American English
- He pitched in the All-Star Game last July.
- The network is producing an all-star tribute special.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used in a technical business sense. May appear metaphorically: 'an all-star panel of investors.'
Academic
Not typical in formal academic writing, except in sociological or cultural studies analyzing sports/celebrity.
Everyday
Common in conversation about sports, films, TV shows, and music (e.g., 'The film has an all-star cast.').
Technical
Specific term in sports statistics and league administration (e.g., 'all-star ballot', 'all-star reserves').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “all-star”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “all-star”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “all-star”
- Using as a regular adjective for one person (e.g., 'He is all-star' is awkward; prefer 'He is an all-star player'). Spelling as one word 'allstar' in formal writing. Overusing in non-competitive contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a hyphenated compound adjective or noun ('all-star team'). It is occasionally seen as a single word (Allstar) in brand names or informal contexts, but the hyphenated form is standard.
Yes, but usually in the form 'an all-star' as a countable noun (e.g., 'She's an all-star'). It is less common to use it as a standalone adjective before a person's name (not 'the all-star player John').
'Star' refers to a single famous or excellent performer. 'All-star' implies a selection or collection of the top 'stars' brought together for a specific team, event, or project.
Absolutely. It's very common in entertainment ('all-star cast'), music ('all-star charity single'), and metaphorically in other fields to denote a group of top-tier individuals.
A team or event composed of the most outstanding performers or players in a particular field, especially sports or entertainment.
All-star is usually informal, journalistic in register.
All-star: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɔːl ˌstɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɔl ˌstɑr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's no all-star.”
- “An all-star effort (extended metaphorical use).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine ALL the brightest STARS gathered on one stage or field – that's an ALL-STAR team.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXCELLENCE IS STARDOM / A GROUP OF EXCELLENT PEOPLE IS A CONSTELLATION.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'all-star' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?