starlike
starlike — adjective
- starlikepositive
- more starlikecomparative
- most starlikesuperlative
1. having the shape of a star, with several points or arms that extend outward from
having the shape of a star, with several points or arms that extend outward from a central area.
The children cut out starlike decorations from yellow paper for the festival.
A starlike flower with five white petals grew in the garden near the old oak tree.
starlike + flower / describing a star-shaped bloom
The starlike pattern on the tile floor reminded Mei-Lin of the night sky.
Kwame found a small, starlike sea creature on the beach during low tide.
The architect designed a starlike layout for the new plaza, with paths leading out from the centre.
- star-shaped
more common and everyday in tone
- stellate
technical term used in botany and biology
- radial
emphasises the outward-spreading structure rather than the pointed ends
文法句型
starlike + noun (e.g., starlike flower, starlike pattern)
noun phrase + be + starlike
用法筆記
Attributive use (before a noun) is most common — for example, 'a starlike flower' rather than 'the flower was starlike'. This is the most frequent meaning of the word.
2. shining with a bright, steady glow that is similar to the light of a star in the
shining with a bright, steady glow that is similar to the light of a star in the night sky.
The diamond on Ingrid's ring gave a starlike sparkle under the restaurant lights.
A single starlike lantern hung above the doorway and cast a warm glow across the patio.
starlike + lantern / describing a bright steady glow
The old lighthouse sent a starlike beam that ships could see from miles away.
Amara's eyes had a starlike brightness when she talked about her research.
文法句型
starlike + noun (e.g., starlike glow, starlike light)
noun phrase + be + starlike
用法筆記
Frequently found in literary or poetic writing. Less common in everyday conversation, where 'bright', 'shining', or 'glowing' are preferred.
常見錯誤
3. spreading outward from a central point in several directions, like the points of
spreading outward from a central point in several directions, like the points of a star extending from its centre.
The city was built on a starlike plan with six main roads leading from the central square.
Scientists observed a starlike pattern of cracks on the frozen lake surface.
starlike pattern of cracks / radiating arrangement
The plant's leaves grew in a starlike arrangement around the stem.
The starlike arms of the galaxy stretched across the telescope image.
- convergent
opposite direction — moving inward toward a centre
- converging
opposite direction
文法句型
starlike + noun (e.g., starlike arrangement, starlike cracks)
noun phrase + be + starlike
用法筆記
Common in scientific or technical descriptions of geometry, crystallography, and astronomy. Distinguish from sense 1 (STAR-SHAPED), which refers to the final shape; this sense emphasises the outward motion or spread from a centre.
starlike — adverb
1. in a way that resembles a star, whether in shape, brightness, or radiating arran
in a way that resembles a star, whether in shape, brightness, or radiating arrangement.
The sand dollar lay starlike on the shore, its five segments clearly visible.
The snowflake sparkled starlike under the streetlamp before it melted.
verb + starlike / adverb describing appearance
The petals opened starlike as the morning sun warmed the flower.
Tiny crystals formed starlike across the windowpane during the cold night.
文法句型
verb + starlike (e.g., shone starlike, lay starlike, sparkled starlike)
用法筆記
A rare adverb form, used mostly in descriptive or literary writing. In everyday language, 'like a star' or a phrase with 'starlike' as an adjective may sound more natural.