asterisk

[as-tuh-risk]

SEE MORE 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.

Origin of asterisk

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

Pronunciation note

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for asterisk

bullet, dagger, ditto, reference, caret, punctuation

Examples from the Web for asterisk

Contemporary Examples of asterisk

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
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
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
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
The asterisk for the inevitable deluge of commenters noting that the honor isn't actually a Nobel Prize.
Meet the Nobel* Winners in Economics
Justin Green
October 15, 2012

Historical Examples of asterisk

The books to which direct reference is made are marked with an asterisk.
The Truth About Woman
C. Gasquoine Hartley
Only persons who speak are included, except a few marked with asterisk.
The Facts About Shakespeare
William Allan Nielson
The best stories are indicated by an asterisk before the title of the story.
The Best Short Stories of 1920
Various
An asterisk before the name of an author indicates that he is not an American.
The Best Short Stories of 1920
Various
In this list the more common of the elements are marked with an asterisk.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry
William McPherson

British Dictionary definitions for asterisk

asterisk

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

Word Origin and History for asterisk

"figure used in printing and writing to indicate footnote, omission, etc.," late 14c., asterich, asterisc, from Late Latin asteriscus, from Greek asterikos "little star," diminutive of aster "star" (see astro-). As a verb from 1733.