has-been
C1/C2Informal, often derogatory or dismissive.
Definition
Meaning
A person or thing that was once popular, famous, or important but is no longer so; something past its prime.
Can refer to outdated ideas, trends, or technologies, emphasizing a decline from a former state of success or relevance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun (a count noun: "a has-been", "several has-beens"). Rarely used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., "has-been actor"). It carries a strong connotation of faded glory and often implies pity or scorn.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are identical. No significant regional variation in application.
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both varieties. Slightly more common in entertainment/sports commentary.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
He is a has-been.They dismissed him as a has-been.The software is a has-been in today's market.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A legend in one's own mind (similar arrogant connotation)”
- “Past one's sell-by date”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company's flagship product is now considered a has-been in the tech industry."
Academic
Rare; used metaphorically in historiography or cultural studies: "The theory is now a scholarly has-been."
Everyday
"Don't listen to him; he's just a grumpy old has-been."
Technical
Not used in formal technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He gave a has-been politician's speech, full of outdated ideas.
American English
- She's stuck in a has-been career with no prospects.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- That singer is a has-been now.
- Many people think he is just a has-been.
- After his last few failed films, critics labelled him a Hollywood has-been.
- The software is a complete has-been; nobody uses it anymore.
- The pundit argued that the chancellor had become a political has-been, utterly devoid of new ideas.
- Once a fearsome competitor, the ageing boxer was now sadly viewed as a washed-up has-been by the sporting press.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a trophy with a label that says 'HAS BEEN Champion' instead of 'IS Champion'. It's stuck in the past.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELEVANCE/POPULARITY IS A SUBSTANCE THAT CAN FADE OR BE USED UP. (A person is a container that has exhausted its supply.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить буквально как "имел быть".
- Избегать слова "бывший" в нейтральном смысле (ex-boyfriend). "Has-been" всегда несёт негативный оттенок утраты статуса.
- Близкий эквивалент по смыслу — "отстой" или "вышедший в тираж", но эти варианты слишком жаргонные.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (*He has-been a singer).
- Using it in a positive context (*She's a lovely has-been).
- Spelling: confusion with 'has been' (verb phrase).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'has-been' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Nearly always. It is a derogatory term implying irrelevance. Using it neutrally is very rare and requires careful context.
It can refer to anything that was once successful or fashionable but is now not, e.g., 'a has-been brand', 'a has-been theory'.
It is a countable noun. The plural is 'has-beens' (e.g., 'a party full of has-beens').
'Former' is neutral (former president). 'Has-been' is pejorative and emphasises a fall from grace, popularity, or relevance.