a star of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a star of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who is prominent or famous in a particular field, such as entertainment or sports. Example: "She is a star of the film industry, known for her outstanding performances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

O'Rourke was a star of the group.

The Washington Post

Renault is now a star of the SUV market.

The Economist

He was wearing a Star of David when he died.

The New Yorker

Mike McDowell is a star of adventure tourism.

The New York Times

She was Blake Lively, a star of "Gossip Girl".

The New York Times

Consider a star of the new economy, Cisco Systems.

The New York Times

Everybody there was a star of some kind.

The New York Times

I am Jewish, and this is a Star of David".

The New York Times

(Before "The Hills" she was a star of "Laguna Beach").

The New York Times - Magazine

Julia Stiles was a star of one such show, called "Blue;" Jennifer Garner was a star of another, called "Serena;" and Virginia Madsen was a star of a third, called "Jan".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The network architecture is illustrated in Fig. 7, which is a star-of-stars topology.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a star of" to highlight someone's exceptional performance or significant role in a specific field. For example, "She is a star of the culinary world, known for her innovative dishes."

Common error

Avoid using "a star of" to describe inanimate objects or abstract concepts unless you're employing a metaphor. It's more appropriate to say "a key element of" or "a crucial component of" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a star of" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, indicating that someone or something is a prominent or outstanding member of a group or field. It highlights excellence and is often used to denote fame or success, as shown by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

9%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a star of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone or something prominent or successful within a particular context. Ludwig examples show its frequent use in news and media, though it is also found in academic settings. It serves to highlight excellence and celebrate achievement. While versatile, be mindful of its usage to describe non-human subjects in a literal way. Consider alternatives such as "a leading light in" or "a key player in" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leading light in

Focuses on the influential and guiding aspect of the person or thing.

a prominent figure in

Emphasizes the notability and importance of the individual.

a key player in

Highlights the significant role and impact the person has within a specific context.

a celebrated name in

Focuses on the fame and recognition associated with the person.

a standout member of

Indicates that the person is noticeably better than others in a group.

a notable contributor to

Highlights the valuable contributions made by the person or thing.

an accomplished individual in

Emphasizes the skill and expertise of the person.

a master of

Suggests a high level of skill and expertise.

a luminary in

Highlights the person as a source of inspiration and guidance.

a top performer in

Emphasizes the individual's exceptional performance and success.

FAQs

How can I use "a star of" in a sentence?

Use "a star of" to describe someone or something exceptionally successful or prominent in a specific field or activity. For example, "He is "a star of the team"" or "She's "a star of the show"".

What are some alternatives to "a star of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a leading figure in", "a prominent name in", or "a key player in" as alternatives to "a star of".

Is it correct to say "the star of" instead of "a star of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "The star of" usually refers to the single most prominent person or thing, while "a star of" indicates one among many prominent individuals or elements within a specific group or context. Consider the difference between "the star of the show" versus "a star of the show".

Can "a star of" be used to describe something other than a person?

Yes, while commonly used for people, "a star of" can also describe things that excel in a specific context. For example, "This dish is "a star of the menu"" or "That innovation was "a star of the conference"".