astronomical

adjective

as·​tro·​nom·​i·​cal ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mi-kəl 

variants or less commonly astronomic

ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mik 

1

: of or relating to astronomy

astronomical observations

2

: enormously or inconceivably large or great

astronomical numbers

an astronomical price

astronomically

ˌa-strə-ˈnä-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• Brobdingnagian
• bumper
• colossal
• cosmic
• cosmical
• cyclopean
• elephantine
• enormous
• galactic
• gargantuan
• giant
• gigantesque
• gigantic
• grand
• herculean
• heroic
• heroical
• Himalayan
• huge
• humongous
• humungous
• immense
• jumbo
• king-size
• king-sized
• leviathan
• mammoth
• massive
• mega
• mighty
• monster
• monstrous
• monumental
• mountainous
• oceanic
• pharaonic
• planetary
• prodigious
• super
• super-duper
• supersize
• supersized
• titanic
• tremendous
• vast
• vasty
• walloping
• whacking
• whopping

Examples of astronomical in a Sentence

The cost of the office building was astronomical.

We got an astronomical telephone bill this month.

Recent Examples on the Web

From the outset, the series treats audiences to a bevy of fascinating facts about space travel, from lightning strikes during rocket launches to the astronomical cost of hitching a ride as a space tourist. —Regina Kim, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

January's Full Moon Will Have Everyone in Their Feelings — But These 4 Zodiac Signs Will Be an Emotional Wreck January's full moon has significant astrological and astronomical meaning for Haack as the moon was in her Cancer zodiac sign during its peak. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025

The conference will also cover broader astronomical research topics and include hands-on Python data analysis workshops, focused on teaching astronomers how to analyze data from JWST and Roman using Python software. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 13 Jan. 2025

According to the statement, this represents yet another astronomical question the BepiColombo mission aims to study: the direction of the lava flow. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin astronomicus "of or relating to astronomy" (borrowed from Greek astronomikós "of astronomy, skilled in astronomy," from astronomía astronomy + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing astronomical

• astronomical unit

Kids Definition

astronomical

adjective

as·​tro·​nom·​i·​cal ˌas-trə-ˈnäm-i-kəl 

variants also astronomic

-ˈnäm-ik 

1

: of or relating to astronomy

2

: extremely or unbelievably large

the cost was astronomical

astronomically

-ˈnäm-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb