starry-eyed

American  

[stahr-ee-ahyd] / ˈstɑr iˌaɪd /

adjective

1. overly romantic or idealistic.

   He was a starry-eyed dreamer.

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starry-eyed British  

adjective

1. given to naive wishes, judgments, etc; full of unsophisticated optimism; gullible

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Etymology

Origin of starry-eyed

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

When starry-eyed “Pretty in Pink” devotees think of Andie and Iona, we think of their looks, their personalities and their willingness to fight for themselves.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

He is a situational bear, a situational bull and, almost despite himself, at age 87, a gruff, perpetual, starry-eyed idealist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

There was still plenty of starry-eyed enthusiasm for the handsome young mayor and the hope he represented.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2026

When others are making New Year’s resolutions, or are starry-eyed about the prospects of making money, many companies issue earnings preannouncements that are essentially confessions.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

And now he was in that field house again, not as some gawking, starry-eyed kid, but as a football player, preparing for the semifinal game against the Carter Cowboys.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger