stellar

[ stel-er ]

/ ˈstɛl ər /

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See synonyms for stellar on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of or relating to the stars; consisting of stars.

like a star, as in brilliance, shape, etc.

pertaining to a preeminent performer, athlete, etc.

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Origin of stellar

1650–60; <Late Latin stellāris, equivalent to stell(a) star + -ārius-ar¹

OTHER WORDS FROM stellar

non·stel·lar, adjectivetrans·stel·lar, adjective

Words nearby stellar

St. Elias, Mount, St. Elias Mountains, stell, stella, Stella Polaris, stellar, stellar association, stellarator, stellar evolution, stellar wind, stellate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use stellar in a sentence

This question has long been a subject of intense astrophysical debate, particularly in relation to the stellar composition of individual galaxies.
The Universe Has Made Almost All the Stars It Will Ever Make - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Caleb Scharf|August 19, 2020|Nautilus
An optical telescope planned for construction on a 15-meter tower at Kunlun could take advantage of Dome A’s stellar views above the boundary layer, Ma says.
An Antarctic ice dome may offer the world’s clearest views of the night sky|Maria Temming|July 29, 2020|Science News
Each stellar tail stretches hundreds of light-years and dwarfs the cluster itself, which is about 65 light-years across.
The star cluster closest to Earth is in its death throes|Ken Croswell|July 24, 2020|Science News
The study also doesn’t explain certain heavy elements found in meteorites, which are thought to come from a nearby supernova and so could require the sun come from a long-lived stellar family.
Pinning down the sun’s birthplace just got more complicated|Lisa Grossman|July 20, 2020|Science News

Two major gold loan financiers—Muthoot Finance and Manappuram Finance—reported stellar results in the March quarter.
Gold financiers are a bright spot in India’s crisis-hit financial sector|Prathamesh Mulye|July 7, 2020|Quartz
But it might, when we look back at the stellar performances young Hollywood produced this year, end up being ridiculous.
Why Does Oscar Hate Young Men?|Kevin Fallon|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But that misstep is a minor blip in an otherwise stellar premiere.
Will Gardner Had to Die So That ‘The Good Wife’ Could Thrive|Jason Lynch|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For stellar-mass black holes, a reliable technique involves watching fluctuations in their X-ray emissions.
The Goldilocks of Black Holes|Matthew R. Francis|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If a stellar-mass black hole is a violin, an IMBH is a double bass.
The Goldilocks of Black Holes|Matthew R. Francis|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A stellar-mass black hole would produce pulses in the 100 to 450 Hz range, though still with that 3-to-2 ratio between the flares.
The Goldilocks of Black Holes|Matthew R. Francis|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We have now set forth some of the important facts exhibited by the stellar universe.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
One of the most fruitful fields for this instrument is undoubtedly stellar spectroscopy.
Photographs of Nebul and Clusters|James Edward Keeler
I believe he would be able to assimilate training, and would make a valuable addition to the Stellar Guard.
Indirection|Everett B. Cole
He had overcome this obstacle, however, and had eliminated the possibilities of a collision with these stellar juggernauts.
The Jameson Satellite|Neil Ronald Jones
I thought the stellar host glittered with unusual brilliance, as if there were a joyous and holy revelry going on in heaven.
Wild Western Scenes|John Beauchamp Jones

British Dictionary definitions for stellar

stellar

/ (ˈstɛlə) /

adjective

of, relating to, involving, or resembling a star or stars

of or relating to star entertainers

informal outstanding or immensecompanies are registering stellar profits

Word Origin for stellar

C17: from Late Latin stellāris, from Latin stella star

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