megastar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal (but common in media/journalism), sometimes used commercially/hyperbolically.
Quick answer
What does “megastar” mean?
An extremely famous and successful performer, especially in music or film.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An extremely famous and successful performer, especially in music or film.
An individual who has achieved a level of fame, influence, and commercial success that places them at the very top of their field, often across multiple countries or globally. It can also be used metaphorically to describe an object or entity of outstanding prominence in its category.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. More likely to be used in British tabloid press, while slightly more hyperbolically used in American entertainment marketing.
Connotations
Connotes a product of media and marketing machinery as much as raw talent. Can have a slightly cynical or commercial tone depending on context.
Frequency
Used with similar frequency in both varieties. Slightly more established in British English due to longer-standing tabloid culture.
Grammar
How to Use “megastar” in a Sentence
[be/become] a megastarmegastar of [field/genre]megastar in [country/industry]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megastar” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's living a true megastar lifestyle.
- The festival has a megastar lineup this year.
American English
- She reached megastar status with her last album.
- It was a megastar performance that broke records.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing and branding contexts to denote top-tier talent with significant commercial pull (e.g., 'securing a megastar endorser').
Academic
Rare, except in cultural/media studies discussing fame and celebrity culture.
Everyday
Common in entertainment news, gossip, and casual conversation about very famous people.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megastar”
- Using it for locally famous people (overuse). Confusing it with 'superstar' (they are largely synonymous, but 'megastar' can imply greater commercial scale).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'star' is a famous and successful performer. A 'megastar' is at the absolute pinnacle, with fame that is often global and a level of commercial success and media saturation that far exceeds that of a typical star.
Yes, especially for athletes with massive global recognition, endorsement deals, and media profiles, e.g., 'a football megastar like Cristiano Ronaldo'.
No, it belongs primarily to informal, journalistic, and commercial registers. It would be unusual in highly formal or academic writing, where terms like 'preeminent figure' or 'global celebrity' might be preferred.
Metaphorically, yes. You might see phrases like 'the megastar of the smartphone world' to indicate a dominant, highly popular product or brand.
An extremely famous and successful performer, especially in music or film.
Megastar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛɡəstɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛɡəstɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MEGA-sized STAR in the sky — it's not just a star, it's a huge, brilliant one. A megastar is a massively famous star.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAME IS SIZE/HEAT/LIGHT (a megastar is a 'bigger', 'brighter' star than others).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'megastar' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?