# stardust

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈstɑːdʌst/ · frequency rank #23,405

## Definitions
1. Small fragments of dustlike material found in space; specifically, a type of cosmic dust that formed from cooling gases ejected from presolar stars, which was then incorporated into the cloud from which the Solar System condensed.
2. A distant cluster of stars resembling a cloud of dust, especially if the individual stars of which cannot be resolved with a telescope.
3. Small fragments in the Earth's atmosphere or on its surface originating from meteorites; meteor dust.
4. Something imaginary or lacking substance.
5. An imaginary magic dust or powder that, when in one's eyes, supposedly causes one to view a person or thing favourably, even though this might not actually be warranted.
6. An imaginary magic dust or powder supposedly able to give one charisma or other positive qualities; hence, charisma or glamour, especially that possessed by a celebrity.

## Etymology
From star + dust.

## Easily confused with
- **sawdust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sawdust-vs-stardust)
- **starburst** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/starburst-vs-stardust)

## Common misspellings (13)
`satrdust`, `sstardust`, `stadrust`, `starddust`, `stardsut`, `stardusst`, `stardustt`, `starduts`, `starrdust`, `starudst`, `stradust`, `sttardust`, `tsardust`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/stardust