a stellar idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a stellar idea' is correct and is an acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is used to describe an idea or concept that is of very high quality or excellence. For example: "After hearing his business proposal, I thought it was a stellar idea!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"But there's a dangerous point of intoxication where you're lucid enough to operate a keyboard, but drunk enough to think that professing your love via Facebook to that girl in your 11th grade homeroom is a stellar idea".

The New York Times

But if you're Muslim and live in Wisconsin or North Dakota, you may not be that lucky.That's what makes HalalHealthy.com a stellar idea.

Huffington Post

And perhaps taking advice from Doyle, who managed to louse up last year's campaign against the pro-embryonic stem cell research Proposal 2 (and run those disgusting eugenics ads aimed at African-Americans), might not be a stellar idea.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And, while this may not always be true, even an underfunded or less than stellar idea or plan can be salvaged by a gifted and caring worker in the field.

Huffington Post

The journalist Suzanne Moore wrote on 11 January: "He gave us ideas above our station … the stellar idea that we can create ourselves whoever we are.

Independent

The company is looking for a few good developers with stellar ideas for Project Ara.

TechCrunch

Chicagoans Martin McGovern (seated, above) and Rajiv Nathan launched Idea Lemon last year to help creatives and entrepreneurs turn their stellar ideas into powerful acts of inspiration and empowerment, which could then spill over into the individual's life purpose and/or "career".

Huffington Post

Even the nearly-30-year, bank-busting Big Dig fiasco made Boston a better place by tunneling a downtown highway, though it was obviously nobody's idea of a stellar urban redevelopment project.

The New York Times - Arts

If that's your idea of a stellar resume, you will no doubt read Harrison's defense of mega-banks in the New York Times with great anticipation, an emotion which will be followed promptly thereafter by profound disappointment.

Huffington Post

If the dollar were to crash on his watch, that reputation would not help to calm markets.The truth is that big ideas and a stellar academic résumé are not always hallmarks of a good central banker.

The Economist

Rachael raised the idea of a voyage by dhow the night before last, over a stellar plate of spinach-stuffed calamari, under the huge sparkly Kenyan night sky.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a stellar idea" when you want to convey that an idea is not only good but also stands out as exceptional or brilliant. It's a stronger endorsement than simply calling something "good" or "smart".

Common error

While "a stellar idea" is acceptable, it can sound slightly informal or enthusiastic for certain formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "an exceptional concept" or "a groundbreaking proposal" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stellar idea" functions as a noun phrase where 'stellar' acts as a pre-modifying adjective. It describes the quality of the noun 'idea', indicating that the idea is exceptionally good. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stellar idea" is a grammatically correct and acceptable phrase used to describe an exceptionally good or impressive idea. While relatively rare in occurrence, according to Ludwig's examples, its communicative purpose is to convey strong approval. It's suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, but may be too informal for highly technical or formal settings. Alternatives like "an exceptional concept" or "a groundbreaking proposal" may be more appropriate in those situations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides real-world examples of its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A brilliant concept

Replaces "stellar" with "brilliant" to emphasize the idea's brightness and ingenuity.

A superb concept

Replaces "stellar" with "superb" for a strong and positive assessment of the idea.

An outstanding notion

Substitutes "stellar" with "outstanding" to highlight the idea's superiority.

An ingenious idea

Uses "ingenious" to emphasize the clever and inventive aspect of the idea.

A remarkable thought

Replaces "stellar" with "remarkable" to stress the idea's unusual and noteworthy quality.

A magnificent idea

Replaces "stellar" with "magnificent" to amplify the grandeur and impressiveness of the idea.

A top-notch suggestion

Uses "top-notch" instead of "stellar" for a more informal but still positive evaluation.

An exceptional plan

Replaces "idea" with "plan" to focus on the actionable nature of the concept and uses "exceptional" instead of "stellar".

A groundbreaking idea

Highlights the innovative and revolutionary potential of the idea.

A first-rate scheme

Employs "first-rate" to indicate high quality, offering a slightly more traditional tone.

FAQs

How can I use "a stellar idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a stellar idea" to describe a concept, plan, or suggestion that is exceptionally good or impressive. For example, "Her proposal was truly "a stellar idea", and the board approved it immediately."

What's a more formal alternative to "a stellar idea"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "an exceptional concept", "a groundbreaking proposal", or "an outstanding notion". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but are more suitable for professional settings.

Is "stellar idea" correct, or should it be "stellar's idea"?

"Stellar idea" is correct. "Stellar" functions as an adjective describing the idea. "Stellar's idea" would imply that the idea belongs to someone or something named Stellar, which is a different meaning altogether.

What are some situations where I might not want to use "a stellar idea"?

While generally acceptable, "a stellar idea" might not be appropriate in highly formal or technical contexts where a more neutral or precise term is preferred. It is also less suitable when describing negative or critical situations.