costar

or co-star

[ noun koh-stahr; verb koh-stahr ]

/ noun ˈkoʊˌstɑr; verb ˈkoʊˈstɑr /

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noun

a performer, especially an actor or actress, who shares star billing with another.

a performer whose status is slightly below that of a star.

verb (used without object), co·starred, co·star·ring.

to share star billing with another performer.

to receive billing of slightly less status than that of astar.

verb (used with object), co·starred, co·star·ring.

to present (two or more actors) as having equal billing or prominence.

to present as having slightly less status than that of a star.

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Origin of costar

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20; co- + star

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use costar in a sentence

She said that her co-star, Alfre Woodard, talked to her about it a cocktail party that night.
It’s Time to Stop Hating Katherine Heigl|Kevin Fallon|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He talks about the first sexual encounters he had with a man, a co-star from when he was starring in Rent on Broadway.
Choose Your Own Neil Patrick Harris: The Star on ‘Doogie,’ ‘Gone Girl,’ Gay Sex and More|Kevin Fallon|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both Sheldon Leonard, who created the show, and Robert Culp, who was his co-star, were socially conscious.
A Full-Length Bill Cosby Portrait: From Track Star to Ugly Sweaters|Scott Porch|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To get to watch (his Heiress co-star) Jessica Chastain was a big inspiration.
Dan Stevens Blows Up ‘Downton’: From Chubby-Cheeked Aristo to Lean, Mean American Psycho|Tim Teeman|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The story of how it was orchestrated—by co-star Julianna Margulies, no less—has been endearingly documented.
Josh Charles on Life After ‘The Good Wife’ and His Insane Movie ‘Bird People’|Kevin Fallon|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for costar

co-star

noun

an actor who shares star billing with another

verb -stars, -starring or -starred

(intr often foll by with) to share star billing (with another actor)

(tr) to present as sharing top billingthe film co-starred Mae West and W. C. Fields

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