Has-been

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Has-been

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

HAZ-bin  /ˈhæzbɪn/

Definition

A person or thing that was formerly successful, popular, or important but is now no longer so; someone whose peak is behind them.

Plain meaning

A has-been is someone — a celebrity, sportsperson, politician, or brand — who was once successful and prominent but is no longer relevant or at the top of their game. It is an informal, often dismissive term.

Register

Informal and somewhat dismissive. Has-been is not a neutral description — it carries an implication of reduced status and, often, some residual embarrassment about the gap between past and present prominence. It can be used affectionately of minor figures or cruelly of major ones.