former star

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former star" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who was once famous or successful in a particular field, such as sports or entertainment, but is no longer in the spotlight. Example: "After years of being a former star in the music industry, she has now shifted her focus to philanthropy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(Former star saves bankrupt team).

The New York Times - Magazine

And now, Drury returns to reality as a former star.

The New York Times

A memoir by the sports broadcaster and former star quarterback.

The New York Times - Books

Chamberlain was a former star at the University of Nebraska.

The New York Times

George Mikan, a former star player in the NBA, was the ABA's first commissioner.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The former star Socrates has called the new Brazil "an affront to our culture".

The New York Times - Sports

As a former star making a small-scale comeback album, she is already an outsider.

The New York Times - Arts

Referring to the Cardinal's former star quarterback, he continued: "You can ask Andrew Luck.

The New York Times - Sports

IMRAN KHAN, a former star cricketer turned politician, is overly fond of cricketing metaphors.

The Economist

Take Jürgen Klinsmann, the coach of the U.S. team and a former star for Germany.

The New Yorker

Rival players singled out the millionaire former star for punishing tackles.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "former star", provide context about the field in which they were famous (e.g., "former star athlete", "former star musician") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "former star's" past achievements automatically grant them expertise or influence in current situations. Acknowledge their past success but assess their present contributions independently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former star" functions as a compound adjective modifying a noun, typically referring to a person. It indicates that the individual was previously well-known and successful in a particular field, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former star" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who was once famous or successful, predominantly used in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a clear and effective way to provide context about an individual's past achievements, though care should be taken not to automatically assume continued relevance based solely on their previous status. Alternatives like ""ex-celebrity"" or ""one-time celebrity"" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-celebrity

Replaces "star" with a synonym focusing on celebrity status.

one-time celebrity

Emphasizes that the person was a celebrity in the past.

past luminary

Uses a more formal and metaphorical term for "star".

erstwhile icon

Employs elevated vocabulary to denote a previous iconic figure.

retired notable

Highlights the retirement or cessation of activity of a notable person.

previous success

Highlights that the person was successuful in the past.

onetime success

Highlights that the person was successuful in the past.

former champion

Highlights that the person was a champion in the past.

ex-champion

Highlights that the person was a champion in the past.

past glory

Emphasizes that the person was glorious in the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "former star" to describe someone who was once famous or successful. For example, "The "former star" of the team now coaches youth basketball".

What's a good alternative to "former star"?

Alternatives include "ex-celebrity", "one-time celebrity", or "past luminary", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "once a star, always a star" when referring to a "former star"?

While the saying "once a star, always a star" is a common idiom, it doesn't accurately reflect the reality that a "former star" is no longer actively in the spotlight. It's more of a sentimental expression.

What is the difference between a "former star" and a "rising star"?

A ""former star"" has already achieved fame and success but is no longer at the peak of their career, whereas a "rising star" is someone who is showing great potential and is expected to become famous or successful in the future.