noun
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dusty material found between the stars
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a large number of distant stars appearing to the observer as a cloud of dust
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a dreamy romantic or sentimental quality or feeling
Usage
What is stardust? Stardust is used figuratively to mean a quality that is naively romantic. For example, someone who is in love may be said to have stardust in their eyes because they don’t recognize any of their loved one’s flaws. This is the most common sense of stardust. In fantasy stories, the term stardust is usually depicted as shining particles of dust that when sprinkled lead to a variety of magical, ethereal, or supernatural effects. Stardust is also used figuratively to mean a mass of stars that are so far away that they appear to be particles of airborne dust. Literally, stardust is cosmic dust, that is, small particles of matter floating through space that are believed to make up all matter in the known universe. Stardust can also be used as a slang term for cocaine, due to its crystalline, dusty appearance and euphorigenic effects. Cocaine is illegal in many places around the world because of its addictive nature. Example: Juliet was so in love with Romeo that she had stardust in her eyes.
Etymology
Origin of stardust
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.
So far, the operation to deploy royal stardust to improve the mood music between the nations appears to be working.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
She recognized that, like her, he was born for the stage, and regaled him with stage lore that put the stardust in his eyes.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
In a bid to identify the victim, the force released a description of his tattoos, which included a cross with a snake wrapped around it on his back with the words "little stardust".
From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026
In contrast to Cannes or Venice, which regularly attract Oscar contenders, Berlin does not feature as many large-scale US productions and the sprinkle of stardust that often accompanies them.
From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026
“Gather up the first pile of stardust and toss it as high as you can. Jump if it helps.”
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
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.
