starry-eyed

American  

[stahr-ee-ahyd] / ˈstɑr iˌaɪd /

adjective

1. overly romantic or idealistic.

   He was a starry-eyed dreamer.

---

starry-eyed British  

adjective

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

---

Etymology

Origin of starry-eyed

First recorded in 1900–05

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

starry-eyed

But he does urge caution for "starry-eyed MBAs" who think they're immune from the risks of failure.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

This often results in entertaining, informative work: Acquired, a deeply researched show by two starry-eyed tech investors, regularly tops podcast charts with dives into famous companies.

From Slate ● Apr. 7, 2026

She said the guard was not her personal security and that no one — including a starry-eyed 11-year-old girl — had bothered her.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 22, 2026

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

Everyone stands up, looking to the sky like a starry-eyed mob waiting for the rapture.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---