Stellar means exceptionally good or outstanding, like the brightness of stars. When a basketball player has a stellar game, she scores points, makes assists, and plays defense at an extraordinary level. When your science project earns stellar reviews from the judges, they're impressed by your creativity and careful work.

Astronomers use stellar when discussing formation or atmospheres of stars. Because stars shine so brilliantly in the night sky, people began using stellar to describe anything that stands out with that same brilliant quality.

A stellar performance is memorable and remarkable. A stellar student produces work that makes teachers take notice. When someone does a stellar job, they've exceeded expectations and achieved something remarkable. The word suggests excellence that shines as brightly as those distant suns we see twinkling overhead.