asterisk

[ as-tuh-risk ]

/ ˈæs tə rɪsk /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for asterisk on Thesaurus.com

noun

a small starlike symbol (*), used in writing and printing as a reference mark or to indicate omission, doubtful matter, etc.

Linguistics. the figure of a star (*) used to mark an utterance that would be considered ungrammatical or otherwise unacceptable by native speakers of a language, as in * I enjoy to ski.

Historical Linguistics. the figure of a star (*) used to mark a hypothetical or reconstructed form that is not attested in a text or inscription.

something in the shape of a star or asterisk.

any factor or element that makes an otherwise outstanding achievement somewhat doubtful or less impressive: Two favorites were injured in practice, so his win comes with an asterisk attached.

a minor or insignificant person or thing: his unlikely rise from an asterisk in the polls to the winning candidate.

verb (used with object)

to mark with an asterisk.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of asterisk

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin asteriscus<Greek asterískos, diminutive of astḗrstar

how to pronounce asterisk

While asterisk is usually said as

[as-tuh-risk], /ˈæs tə rɪsk/, with the [s] /s/ in the final syllable preceding the [k], /k/, a metathesized pronunciation is also heard, in which the [s] /s/ and [k] /k/ change places producing

[as-tuh-riks]. /ˈæs tə rɪks/. This pronunciation, resulting in part from analogy with plural forms like kicks and sticks, can sometimes lead to a false analysis of

[as-tuh-riks] /ˈæs tə rɪks/ as a plural pronunciation, with a corresponding singular

[as-tuh-rik]. /ˈæs tə rɪk/. The metathesized pronunciation, although occasionally heard among educated speakers, is usually considered nonstandard, as is the pronunciation of the singular form with no [s] /s/ in the final syllable.

Words nearby asterisk

step in the right direction, a, aster, asteraceous, astereognosis, asteriated, asterisk, asterism, astern, asternal, asteroid, asteroid belt

How to use asterisk in a sentence

Worker unionization in the US rose to a four-year high at the end of 2020, but the statistic comes with an asterisk.
Why an increase in US unionization isn’t a good sign|Karen Ho|January 25, 2021|Quartz
That idea of an asterisk is a little silly to begin with, of course, and it might have been nice to have a bit more chaos in our sports.
The Whole Show’s A Rabbit Hole 2.0|Sara Ziegler (sara.ziegler@fivethirtyeight.com)|December 29, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Somehow, after the dust settles on the chaos of 2020, we should remember it as the year of no asterisks — at least as far as its champions were concerned.
Everything About Sports In 2020 Was Weird … Except Who Won|Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com)|December 29, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
The asterisk does not indicate whether the pollster itself is partisan, but whether the money that paid for the poll came from a partisan source.
Polls Policy And FAQs|Dhrumil Mehta (dhrumil.mehta@fivethirtyeight.com)|July 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

I think one is that we tell China, we’re going to add an asterisk after its name now, just the way we do after information that can’t be believed for sure.
Will Covid-19 Spark a Cold War (or Worse) With China? (Ep. 414)|Stephen J. Dubner|April 23, 2020|Freakonomics
Keep the scare quotes around gay “marriage,” or at least put an asterisk after it.
RFRA Madness: What’s Next for Anti-Democratic ‘Religious Exemptions’|Jay Michaelson|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hoist that big historical asterisk skyward and place it next to his name.
The GOP’s Audacious Impeachment Spin Job|Michael Tomasky|July 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In a year with less unrest economically, that would be an asterisk.
Can This Ornery Socialist Spoil the Clinton Coronation?|David Freedlander|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But now, in the name of religion, some people want to add an asterisk.
A Victory for ‘Religious Freedom’ is a Loss for Religion|Gene Robinson|June 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead of guessing, put an asterisk in the vacant spot and have the search engine figure it out for you.
13 Hacks to Improve Your Google Search|Nina Strochlic|September 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I have put an asterisk against the names of the colleges whose presidents are graduates of Oberlin.
The College, the Market, and the Court|Caroline H. Dall
By the asterisk above mentioned the writer refers to a circle surrounded by rays, a sun symbol of male significance.
The Sex Worship and Symbolism of Primitive Races|Sanger Brown, II
There is a tendency to confine the asterisk to such cases, and to use the full stop for shorter ellipses.
"Stops"|Paul Allardyce
Most of these are recollected by Professor Cromwell and those with the asterisk are furnished by others.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 5, 1920|Various
Page 2, added missing footnote reference (original text had footnote, but no matching asterisk).
Motor Matt's Daring Rescue|Stanley R. Matthews

British Dictionary definitions for asterisk

asterisk

/ (ˈæstərɪsk) /

noun

a star-shaped character (*) used in printing or writing to indicate a cross-reference to a footnote, an omission, etc

(in historical linguistics) this sign used to indicate an unattested reconstructed form
(in descriptive linguistics) this sign used to indicate that an expression is ungrammatical or in some other way unacceptable

verb

(tr) to mark with an asterisk

Word Origin for asterisk

C17: from Late Latin asteriscus a small star, from Greek asteriskos, from astēr star

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

asterisk

Origin of asterisk

how to pronounce asterisk

Words nearby asterisk

Words related to asterisk

How to use asterisk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for asterisk

Word Origin for asterisk