asterisk

American  

[as-tuh-risk] / ˈæs tə rɪsk /

noun

• asterisks
  plural

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

2. 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.

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

4. something in the shape of a star or asterisk.

5. 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.

6. a minor or insignificant person or thing.

   his unlikely rise from an asterisk in the polls to the winning candidate.

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verb (used with object)

1. to mark with an asterisk.

asterisk British  

/ ˈæstərɪsk /

noun

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

2. 1. (in historical linguistics) this sign used to indicate an unattested reconstructed form

   2. (in descriptive linguistics) this sign used to indicate that an expression is ungrammatical or in some other way unacceptable

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verb

1. (tr) to mark with an asterisk

Pronunciation

While asterisk is usually said as , with the in the final syllable preceding the , a metathesized pronunciation is also heard, in which the and change places producing . This pronunciation, resulting in part from analogy with plural forms like kicks and sticks, can sometimes lead to a false analysis of as a plural pronunciation, with a corresponding singular . The metathesized pronunciation, although occasionally heard among educated speakers, is usually considered nonstandard, as is the pronunciation of the singular form with no in the final syllable.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• asterisks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of asterisk

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

Explanation

When you're writing something and need to add a quick footnote, an easy way to mark the place where you want to include the extra comment is to use an asterisk, a star-shaped symbol. An asterisk is a punctuation mark that you can use to note something in writing, or to stand in for something you've left out. Often a writer uses an asterisk when she wants to add something but doesn't want to include it in the body of the story; the reader sees the asterisk, and finds another one at the bottom of the page beside the note. In Greek, asterikos means "little star," which perfectly describes what an asterisk looks like.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

asterisk asterisks

Before the fraud squad existed to check applications, “there was an asterisk as well, like we’re pretty sure,” Pallie said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Some cinema snobs might find Letterboxd a distasteful asterisk on film culture.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

There's an asterisk beside that stat, of course.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

“Appearance is paid for and authorized by each candidate and ballot measure which is designated by” an asterisk.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

And there it was between Jonas N. and Luke S. With an asterisk next to it.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

Little by little they found out that some of those things weren’t worth having and all of them came with asterisks.

From Salon ● May 31, 2026

Some are even putting asterisks next to the champions.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2025

With several asterisks, qualifications and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 14, 2023

Five counties reported that grand juries meet monthly, but those results come with asterisks.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 30, 2023

He straightened, revealing a woman’s face beside the plane, with long wavy hair and eyes like asterisks.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri