star-crossed

American  

[stahr-krawst, -krost] / ˈstɑrˌkrɔst, -ˌkrɒst /

adjective

1. thwarted or opposed by the stars; ill-fated.

   star-crossed lovers.

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star-crossed British  

adjective

1. dogged by ill luck; destined to misfortune

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Etymology

Origin of star-crossed

First recorded in 1585–95

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Explanation

When it seems like you're doomed to have bad luck, you're star-crossed. You may feel like your camping plans are star-crossed if it rains every time you head into the woods with your sleeping bag. Shakespeare coined this term in the prologue of Romeo and Juliet, when he described his tragic protagonists as "a pair of star-cross'd lovers." Right off the bat, he made it clear that these two will have terrible luck as they repeatedly try to be together. The stars themselves seem to be working against them, an idea that reflected the common 16th-century belief that the position of the stars could control a person's fate.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

star-crossed

If ever there were a star-crossed young man, he would seem to be that fellow—except that even at his rebellious worst Sylvester believed in himself.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

A vibrating violin behind a fiery curtain and a song about star-crossed planets are among the favourites to win this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

From Barron's ● May 15, 2026

But, like all good star-crossed stories, the pair fell in love.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2026

And in the same instant, Andie’s dreams of a romance with her star-crossed lover begin to cloud her better judgment.

From Salon ● Feb. 28, 2026

No more me, no more star-crossed lovers living happily ever after, no more wedding.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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