Starlet Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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starlet

[ˈstɑːrlɪt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

famous

A young actress who is becoming famous in the entertainment industry, especially in movies or television.

Synonyms

actress, celebrity, ingenue.

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Word Description / Examples
starlet

Typically refers to a young actress who is at the beginning of her career in the entertainment industry. Often used in a somewhat glamorous or hopeful tone.

  • The young starlet captured the audience's hearts in her debut film.
  • Many starlets dream of making it big in Hollywood.
actress

A female performer in film, television, or theater. It is a standard term without any specific connotations about career stage.

  • The actress delivered a powerful performance.
  • She won the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
celebrity

Refers to a well-known person, commonly from the entertainment industry but can also be from other public sectors. The focus is on their fame rather than their profession.

  • The celebrity was surrounded by fans at the airport.
  • He became a celebrity after his TV show became a hit.
ingenue

Describes a young, naive, and innocent actress. Often used to describe a type of character that a young actress might play, usually in a romantic or dramatic setting.

  • The role of the ingenue suited her perfectly.
  • In her new film, she plays the ingenue who falls in love.

Examples of usage

  • She started her career as a starlet in independent films.
  • The young starlet quickly rose to fame after her breakout role in the blockbuster movie.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Hollywood History

  • In the 1920s and 1930s, many young actresses were promoted as starlets by major studios to attract younger audiences.
  • Dreamy images of starlets often graced magazine covers, influencing fashion and culture during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Pop Culture

  • Today, the term is often associated with social media, where aspiring actresses promote their work and gain recognition.
  • Starlets frequently appear in celebrity gossip columns, illustrating both their rise in fame and the pressure of public scrutiny.

Cultural Significance

  • Starlets reflect societal ideals of beauty and success, sometimes impacting perceptions of success among young women.
  • The rise of the starlet often prompts discussions about ageism in Hollywood, highlighting how the industry sometimes sidelines older actresses.

Television and Modern Media

  • Reality shows and talent competitions have created new pathways for starlets, who can gain fame without traditional acting roles.
  • Social media platforms allow starlets to connect directly with audiences, changing how fame is achieved and maintained.

Origin of 'starlet'

Main points about word origin

  • The term originated in the early 20th century, combining 'star' with a diminutive suffix '-let' to imply a smaller or junior version.
  • Originally, it was used specifically to refer to young women in the film industry who were thought to be on the rise to stardom.

The term 'starlet' originated in the early 20th century as a diminutive of 'star'. It was initially used to describe a young actress who was on the path to stardom. Over the years, the term has evolved to refer specifically to young female actresses making a name for themselves in the entertainment industry.


See also: megastar, star, stardom, stare, stars, starship, starve, superstar.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,165, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.