Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun One that is no longer famous, popular, successful, or useful.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A person, thing, belief, etc., that belongs exclusively to the past; something out of date or past use.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun pejorative A person, especially one formerly popular or influential, who continues in their field after their popularity or effectiveness has peaked and is now in decline.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun someone who is no longer popular

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • Within a few years of having that gigantic show that’s actually been studied in sociology classes in universities for the impact it had on our culture—that show that was a training ground for people who learned enough to go on to massive careers—within a few years of that, I actually started to hear the word has-been whispered behind my back!

    Roseanne Archy Roseanne Barr 2011

  • Within a few years of having that gigantic show that’s actually been studied in sociology classes in universities for the impact it had on our culture—that show that was a training ground for people who learned enough to go on to massive careers—within a few years of that, I actually started to hear the word has-been whispered behind my back!

    Roseanne Archy Roseanne Barr 2011

  • Within a few years of having that gigantic show that’s actually been studied in sociology classes in universities for the impact it had on our culture—that show that was a training ground for people who learned enough to go on to massive careers—within a few years of that, I actually started to hear the word has-been whispered behind my back!

    Roseanne Archy Roseanne Barr 2011

  • Within a few years of having that gigantic show that’s actually been studied in sociology classes in universities for the impact it had on our culture—that show that was a training ground for people who learned enough to go on to massive careers—within a few years of that, I actually started to hear the word has-been whispered behind my back!

    Roseanne Archy Roseanne Barr 2011

  • Why does CNN insist on promoting the presidency of has-been Sarah Palin?

    Poll shows tight race for 2012 GOP nomination 2009

  • But you can always go do some VH1 reality show … they always look for has-been “celebrities”

    Adam Lambert wants to act? What should he do? | EW.com 2009

  • David Axelrod and the rest of the Obama team have far more important things to discuss and worry about than the future of a has-been former governor like Sarah Palin.

    Axelrod: I'm not thinking about Palin's next move 2009

  • All right, how much are you lot willing to bet that a Disney Channel star (or has-been, whatever you prefer) gets a leading role in a Marvel based movie?

    Superhero Nation: how to write superhero novels and comic books » Open Writing Forum 2009

  • Exactly how many stories are you going to run about this has-been loser in one day? the truth

    Republican: Palin is another Huckabee 2009

  • He's a has-been that never was***Who cares what you think?

    Ken Starr backs Sotomayor court bid 2009

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