star-crossed

[ stahr-krawst, -krost ]

adjective

1. thwarted or opposed by the stars; ill-fated:

   star-crossed lovers.

star-crossed

adjective

1. dogged by ill luck; destined to misfortune

Word History and Origins

Origin of star-crossed¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Word History and Origins

Origin of star-crossed¹

C16: from cross (in the sense: thwart): so called because of the astrological belief that the stars affect people's destinies

Example Sentences

I hurt with the knowledge that maybe our meeting had been a cruel accident and not star-crossed love.

From Literature

Yet the comic high jinks, star-crossed lovers and long-lost relatives that pop up in his play “The Miser,” first produced in 1668, will be instantly familiar to anybody who has ever seen a Shakespeare comedy.

From New York Times

Class is the central theme in “Egoist”: Kosuke and Ryuta’s star-crossed romance shows us how money, and the struggle to make ends meet, can complicate even the most genuine love.

From New York Times

Lauded as a trans-affirming story that also features a star-crossed gay love story, “Nimona” proves that heroines don’t need to be nice or sweet to win us over.

From Seattle Times

The six-episode series follows their star-crossed characters, Rick and Michonne, as they fight to find their way back to one another after years of separation.

From Seattle Times