starry-eyed

American  

[stahr-ee-ahyd] / ˈstɑr iˌaɪd /

adjective

1. overly romantic or idealistic.

   He was a starry-eyed dreamer.

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starry-eyed British  

adjective

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

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Etymology

Origin of starry-eyed

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

He is a situational bear, a situational bull and, almost despite himself, at age 87, a gruff, perpetual, starry-eyed idealist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

There was still plenty of starry-eyed enthusiasm for the handsome young mayor and the hope he represented.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2026

When others are making New Year’s resolutions, or are starry-eyed about the prospects of making money, many companies issue earnings preannouncements that are essentially confessions.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

There was enough hope in everyday life to hold onto, and the starry-eyed vision of the future made the rapture’s fearmongering futile.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2025

He paused, summoning the kind of starry-eyed reverie of his dining hall speeches.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely