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Synonyms

starry-eyed

American  
[stahr-ee-ahyd] / ˈstɑr iˌaɪd /

adjective

  1. overly romantic or idealistic.

    He was a starry-eyed dreamer.


starry-eyed British  

adjective

  1. given to naive wishes, judgments, etc; full of unsophisticated optimism; gullible

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of starry-eyed

First recorded in 1900–05

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.

On 30 January, Judge Kathaleen McCormick found that Tesla directors, who negotiated Mr Musk's pay package in 2018, were "perhaps starry eyed" due to his "superstar appeal" and did not fully inform shareholders.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2024

Elsewhere “ Priscilla” star Cailee Spaeny looked starry eyed along her way to her seat, while a waiter gushed to Quinta Brunson how gorgeous she looked.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2024

He covets only the most buzzworthy big-ticket items and doesn’t consider the everyday reality of those starry eyed decisions.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2023

It’s not the first time corporations have gone starry eyed over the prospects of mining celestial bodies in space.

From Washington Post • Feb. 14, 2019

"You did just splendidly, Anne," puffed Diana, recovering sufficiently to sit up and speak, for Anne, starry eyed and rapt, had not uttered a word.

From Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)

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