has-been
Americannoun
-
has-beens
plural
noun
Usage
What does has-been mean? Has-been is a negative term for a person who is considered to have lost or to be far removed from the success, popularity, or skill that they once had. Has-been is used as an insult. It’s most often applied to famous people, such as athletes and actors—to be called a has-been, a person has to have been known for having an outstanding quality. Another insulting term based on has-been is never-was, which is intended to suggest that a person was never known for having any outstanding qualities. It’s typically used in conjunction with has-been to insult someone in an even worse way, as in You’re not even a has-been—you’re a never-was! Another less-common term formed in the same way is could-have-been, referring to a person who never became successful but could have. This can be an insult or a compliment, depending on how it’s used. Example: I don’t need advice from some has-been—I want to learn from someone who’s been able to stay in the game.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of has-been
First recorded in 1600–10
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The satirical literary thriller follows Mallory, a celebrated but has-been author who’s had writer’s block for nearly a decade.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026
It's up to the player, manager, or has-been like myself to make a judgement call in the moment.
From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2026
“Not a star, just another has-been, lacing up his sneakers in an empty gym on a Wednesday night.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 25, 2026
Fearing he’s a has-been, the diminutive, balding Hart slowly succumbs to self-loathing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2025
I hadn’t attained that level of status in my career and at my age, I was already considered a has-been.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the Lilac Hill week came before a ball was bowled, when captain Ben Stokes described critics of England's plans as "has-beens".
From BBC ● Dec. 21, 2025
What consequential life experiences have I missed, taunting my eyeballs, indulging this social media imp turned experimental pugilist as he bumbles around the ring with has-beens and never-weres?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 20, 2025
Leading into Perth, Stokes called the former players who had criticised England's low-key build up as "has-beens" -- and that came back to bite him.
From Barron's ● Nov. 23, 2025
In perhaps the saddest post of the day, a user named Saga mocked up a fantasy poster for the event that featured a murderers’ row of has-beens like Papa Roach, Nickelback, Staind and, yep, Creed.
From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2025
They were only aware that this was where they either went to State, or turned into has-beens as quickly as the golden coach turned into a pumpkin.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
