ill-starred
Americanadjective
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doomed to misfortune or disaster; ill-fated; unlucky.
an ill-starred enterprise.
-
disastrous.
an ill-starred marriage.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of ill-starred
First recorded in 1595–1605
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.
In her story of ill-starred lovers and class divisions set on the bleak moors of Yorkshire, England, Emily Brontë creates two contrasting visions of home.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
But what tilts this ill-starred production into epic disaster is the backstage drama that breaks out when romantic jealousy spreads throughout the company.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2025
There are portents aplenty packed into the hold of the ill-starred ship of the title in “The Last Voyage of the Demeter.”
From Seattle Times • Aug. 10, 2023
Everton had a horrible season last time out with the failure of the ill-starred appointment of Rafael Benitez, followed by Frank Lampard, who achieved the aim of keeping the Toffees up.
From BBC • Aug. 3, 2022
“No, ma’am, not twins,” answered Alyce again, wondering why twin cows such as Baldred and Billfrith should be such a joy and a boon while twin babies were ill-starred and unlucky.
From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
