asterisk

noun

The star-shaped symbol *, which is used in printing and writing for various purposes, including to refer a reader to a note at the bottom of a page or in a margin, and to indicate the omission of letters or words; a star.

(figuratively) Something which is of little importance or which is marginal; a footnote.

(US, sports, figuratively) A blemish in an otherwise outstanding achievement.

Something resembling or shaped like an asterisk symbol.

(Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism) An instrument with radiating arms resembling a star which is placed over the diskos (or paten) used during the Eucharist to prevent the veil covering the chalice and diskos from touching the host on the diskos.

(dated) A small star; also (by extension), something resembling or shaped like a star.

verb

(transitive) To mark or replace (text, etc.) with an asterisk symbol (*; noun noun, sense 1.1); to star.

Roots

asteraster- · Greek · star

Words related to asterisk

starn stellular asterismn stelliform

Synonyms & related words for asterisk

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Words related to asterisk

Explore words related to asterisk — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include star, stellular, asterism, stelliform. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does asterisk come from?

The word asterisk breaks down into one root of Greek origin: the root aster-, from Greek aster (“star”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.