Dictionary.com
definitions

star-crossed lovers

A phrase from the play Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare; Romeo and Juliet are so described in the prologue to the play.

RELATED CONTENT

How Word Lovers Name Their Pets
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
Words All Book Lovers Should be Using
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Note

“Star-crossed lovers” refers to any lovers whose affection for each other is doomed to end in tragedy.

star-crossed lovers

Lovers whose relationship is doomed to fail are said to be “star-crossed” (frustrated by the stars), because those who believe in astrology claim that the stars control human destiny. William Shakespeare used the phrase to describe the lovers in Romeo and Juliet.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.