1 C1 idiomatic informal
To cast or promote someone as the star of a production or project
"The director decided to star up the young understudy after the lead actor fell ill."
separable
star up
C1 informal separable transitive
To promote or elevate someone to star or leading status, especially in entertainment
In plain English
To make someone a star or give them a leading role
What does "star up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic informal
To rise to a starring or leading position in entertainment
"She starred up quickly after her debut album went platinum."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move someone up to star level
Actually means
To make someone a star or give them a leading role
Usage tip
Rare and mostly used in entertainment industry contexts. Can also be used intransitively to mean someone rises to star status. Not widely used and may be unfamiliar even to many native speakers.
Words that pair with "star up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
actor singer performer film production lead
How to conjugate "star up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
star up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stars up
he/she/it
Past simple
stared up
yesterday
Past participle
stared up
have + pp
-ing form
staring up
continuous
Hear "star up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "star up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "star up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
elevate give a starring role make a star promote
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