Meaning

Star-crossed lovers

Categorised in: 135 Phrases coined by William Shakespeare

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Star-crossed lovers'?

Star-crossed means unlucky, that is, not favoured by the stars. The first pair to be so described were Romeo and Juliet.

Woe is me
Woe is me - caption

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Star-crossed lovers’?

The phrase originates from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, 1592:

A paire of starre-crost lovers, take their life.

Historical trend

“Star - crossed lovers” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1880–2020).

18801900192019401960198020002020
  • Star - crossed lovers