starred

Starred is the past tense and past participle of the verb star. The principal senses are to mark with a star symbol for emphasis or importance, and to feature as a leading performer in a film, show, or other production. The form is also used in various specialized contexts to indicate distinction or endorsement.

Etymology and usage notes

Starred derives from the noun star, the symbol commonly used to signify notable status or to highlight items for later attention. The verb sense to star dates from the broader use of the star as a mark of importance, praise, or prominence. In modern English, starred can describe both physical marking with a star symbol and metaphorical prominence, such as an actor who "starred" in a movie.

Marking, highlighting, and favorites

A widespread contemporary use is to mark items with a star to indicate priority, relevance, or saving for later. In software and digital services, users may “star” messages, emails, bookmarks, or tasks, and items can be described as “starred.” Platforms such as email clients and version-control sites use star icons to signal favorites or important items and scenarios where multiple starred items are gathered or filtered.

Entertainment and publishing

In entertainment, a production may be said to have starred a particular actor, meaning that actor played a leading or notable role. In publishing and media criticism, a “starred review” denotes especially high praise and quality, used by libraries and review outlets as an indicator of merit.

See also

Star, starring, star rating.