less-than-stellar UK /ˈlɛs ðən ˈstɛ.lə/US /ˈlɛs ðən ˈstɛl.ɚ/ adjective1 •Mediocre; not satisfactory; not very good, poor; not meeting standards or expectations.Some years ago there were hundreds of musicians of ability, but of less stellar renown, who toured the country, giving performances at less than stellar fees. — 1931