asterisk

UK: /ˈæstərɪsk/ US: /ˈæstərɪsk/ ,(as′tə risk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

as•ter•isk /ˈæstərɪsk/  n. [countable]

1. a symbol (*), used as a reference mark or to indicate omission, doubtful matter, etc.

See -astro-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

as•ter•isk  (as′tə risk), n. 

1. a small starlike symbol (*), used in writing and printing as a reference mark or to indicate omission, doubtful matter, etc.
2. Linguistics the figure of a star (*) used to mark utterance that would be considered ungrammatical or otherwise unacceptable by native speakers of a language, as in
   * I enjoy to ski.
3. Linguistics Historical Ling. the figure of a star (*) used to mark a hypothetical or reconstructed form that is not attested in a text or inscription.
4. something in the shape of a star or asterisk.

v.t. 

5. to mark with an asterisk.

• Greek asterískos, diminutive of asté̄r star
• Latin asteriscus
• 1350–1400; Middle English

Pronunciation

While asterisk is usually said as (as′tə risk), with the final syllable preceding the (k), a metathesized pronunciation is also heard, in which the (s) and (k) change places producing (as′tə riks). This pronunciation, resulting in part from analogy with plural forms like kicks and sticks, can sometimes lead to a false analysis of (as′tə riks) as a plural pronunciation, with a corresponding singular (as′tə rik). The metathesized pronunciation, although occasionally heard among educated speakers, is usually considered nonstandard, as is the pronunciation with no (s) in the final syllable.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

asterisk / ˈæstərɪsk/ noun

1. a star-shaped character (*) used in printing or writing to indicate a cross-reference to a footnote, an omission, etc

verb

1. (transitive) to mark with an asterisk

Etymology: 17th Century: from Late Latin asteriscus a small star, from Greek asteriskos, from astēr star