stellar
adjective
stel·lar ˈste-lər 
1
a
: of or relating to the stars : astral
b
: composed of stars
2
: of or relating to a theatrical or film star
stellar names
3
a
: principal, leading
a stellar role
b
: outstanding
a stellar performance
Did you know?
Stella, the Latin word for "star," shines brightly in the word constellation, but stella words have been favored by scientists to describe earthly things as much as heavenly bodies. Stellar was once used to mean "star-shaped." That use is no longer current, but today biologists and geologists might use one of these synonyms: stellular, stellate, and stelliform. Poets, too, have looked to stella. John Milton used stellar in its infancy when he wrote in Paradise Lost "these soft fires … shed down their stellar virtue." Stellar shot into its leading role as a synonym of star (as when we say "stellar pupil") in the late 1800s.
Synonyms
- astral
- star
- starry
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the rate of stellar expansion The movie has a stellar cast.
Recent Examples on the Web The artists on board to join the celebration are absolutely stellar, too. 
Richard Bienstock, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2022 That is worrisome news at a time when the only vaccines available are tailored to the first iteration of the virus and is not stellar at holding up against reinfection. Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2022 Few bands are as consistently stellar as Vampire Weekend. Annie Nickoloff, cleveland, 5 July 2022 Two of those are Corbin Carroll and Jordan Lawler, whose reviews have been stellar to this point. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2022 While the hotel is pretty stellar, there’s no shortage of incredible tourist destinations just a short walk past the front door. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 June 2022 After two mediocre seasons with the Red Sox, Perez has been stellar with the Rangers, posting 60 strikeouts and 18 walks, with just two homers allowed, over 74⅓ innings. Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 17 June 2022 That was a series-high for the Canes, but the 26-year-old was stellar in making saves of all varieties in the face of relentless attacks and rebound opportunities. Vincent Z. Mercogliano, USA TODAY, 29 May 2022 This shampoo is stellar at reducing breakage, enhancing curls, taming frizz, and cleansing the hair without stripping away moisture. The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 May 2022 See More
Richard Bienstock, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2022 That is worrisome news at a time when the only vaccines available are tailored to the first iteration of the virus and is not stellar at holding up against reinfection. Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2022 Few bands are as consistently stellar as Vampire Weekend. Annie Nickoloff, cleveland, 5 July 2022 Two of those are Corbin Carroll and Jordan Lawler, whose reviews have been stellar to this point. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 28 June 2022 While the hotel is pretty stellar, there’s no shortage of incredible tourist destinations just a short walk past the front door. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 June 2022 After two mediocre seasons with the Red Sox, Perez has been stellar with the Rangers, posting 60 strikeouts and 18 walks, with just two homers allowed, over 74⅓ innings. Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 17 June 2022 That was a series-high for the Canes, but the 26-year-old was stellar in making saves of all varieties in the face of relentless attacks and rebound opportunities. Vincent Z. Mercogliano, USA TODAY, 29 May 2022 This shampoo is stellar at reducing breakage, enhancing curls, taming frizz, and cleansing the hair without stripping away moisture. The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Late Latin stellaris, from Latin stella star — more at star
First Known Use
circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing stellar
stellar
adjective
1
as in celestial
of or relating to the stars humankind's dream of stellar navigation is hampered by the vast distances between the stars, even in our own galaxy Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- celestial
- interstellar
- star
- starry
- astronomical
- intergalactic
- heavenly
- astral
- astrophysical
- astronomic
- empyrean
- astronautic
- starlike
- star-spangled
- astronautical
2
as in excellent
of the very best kind this miniature palm tree is a stellar example of the art of bonsai Synonyms & Similar Words
- excellent
- terrific
- superb
- wonderful
- great
- fantastic
- awesome
- fabulous
- lovely
- beautiful
- marvelous
- prime
- fine
- quality
- hot
- classic
- marvellous
- heavenly
- sensational
- exceptional
- famous
- superlative
- splendid
- cool
- sterling
- superior
- neat
- good
- divine
- slick
- top
- choice
- grand
- cracking
- immense
- fab
- crackerjack
- decent
- unsurpassed
- brave
- nifty
- primo
- groovy
- top-notch
- swell
- topping
- dynamite
- noble
- first-rate
- topflight
- prize
- boffo
- dandy
- capital
- peachy
- gangbuster
- gangbusters
- frontline
- fantabulous
- corking
- banner
- prizewinning
- mean
- top-shelf
- brag
- par excellence
- dope
- bumper
- too much
- first-class
- keen
- supernal
- hype
- bang-up
- radical
- righteous
- better
- tip-top
- number one
- high-class
- top-of-the-line
- adequate
- boss
- satisfactory
- five-star
- gone
- special
- wizard
- blue-chip
- bully
- first-string
- bonny
- phat
- down
- peachy keen
- four-star
- numero uno
- blue-ribbon
- acceptable
- gilt-edge
- gilt-edged
- traditional
- out of this world
- classical
- out-of-sight
- premium
- A-OK
- passable
- tolerable
- jim-dandy
- bonnie
- all right
- fancy
- standard
- A1
- select
- No. 1
- superfine
- high-grade
- okay
- high-test
- OK
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- poor
- terrible
- lousy
- awful
- atrocious
- pathetic
- execrable
- wretched
- bad
- vile
- rotten
- unsatisfactory
- substandard
- inferior
- mediocre
- middling
- low-grade
- second-rate
- second-class