Dictionary

has-been en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈhæz.bɪn/ (US)
• /-bɛn/ (US)
• /ˈhæz.biːn/ (UK)
• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (derogatory, informal) Of or pertaining to someone or something that was once popular, successful or important but is no longer considered so.

Forms

Translations (17)

mi tangata tūnguru (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · hu lecsúszott (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · fr has-been (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · pl przebrzmiały (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · cmn 一度有名的人物 (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · cmn 過氣名人 /过气名人 (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · ka ყოფილი (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · sv föredetting (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · fi entinen kuuluisuus (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · pt ex-famoso (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · es ha-sido (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · cs vyřízený člověk (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · de ehemalig (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · ru челове́к, потеря́вший былу́ю сла́ву (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · nl passe (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · fi unohdettu suuruus (person declining in popularity or effectiveness) · hu levitézlett (person declining in popularity or effectiveness)

has-been en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈhæz.bɪn/ (US)
• /-bɛn/ (US)
• /ˈhæz.biːn/ (UK)
• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (derogatory, informal) A person, especially one who was formerly popular or influential, who continues in their field after their popularity or effectiveness has peaked and is now in decline.
   • They're saying Sonny Hayes isn't a has-been. He's a never-was. 2025, Ehren Kruger, F1: The Movie, spoken by Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon):
   • I think Apple Computer is a has-been. 1986 January 6, John Gantz, “Things Look Better in the Long View”, in InfoWorld, volume 7, number 52, page 19:
   • When the aforesaid alderman or another wishes to express mild contemptuosity for his fellows and himself in future I would suggest “old fossils” or “old has beens,” or “old fogies,” then the Sir Galahads that are always riding—or driving—about in this progressive dorp will not have any cause to complain. 1927 November 25, J. Jingle, “Merely My Musings”, in The Dabbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, page 2, column 3:
   • Is it better to never be than to be and eventually become a has-been? 2009, William Shatner, Up Till Now: The Autobiography, page 338:

Forms

Coordinates

gonnabe · never-be · never-was · wannabe · would-be · rusty nail

Deriveds

hasbian · has-been-dom