celestial

1 of 2

adjective

ce·​les·​tial sə-ˈles-chəl 

-ˈlesh-,

-ˈle-stē-əl

1

: of, relating to, or suggesting heaven or divinity

celestial beings

2

: of or relating to the sky or visible heavens

the sun, moon, and stars are celestial bodies

3

a

: ethereal, otherworldly

celestial music

b

: olympian, supreme

the celestial impudence of the boy

—Leonard Bacon

4

capitalized [Celestial Empire, old name for China] : of or relating to China or the Chinese

5

: eminently pleasing : delightful, heavenly

It's possible that the cuisine has become even more celestial since the return of his former sous chef …

—Tanya Wenman Steel

celestially

sə-ˈles-chə-lē 

-ˈlesh-

-ˈle-stē-ə-lē

adverb

celestial

2 of 2

noun

1

: a heavenly or mythical being

2

capitalized : chinese sense 1a

Synonyms

Adjective

• elysian
• empyreal
• empyrean
• ethereal
• heavenly
• supernal

Examples of celestial in a Sentence

Adjective

stars, planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies

The late afternoon sunlight gave the room a celestial glow.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As humans draw up plans to return to the moon—for scientific, geopolitical and economic reasons, Boyle notes—this book reminds us that our celestial neighbor is part of our world, our culture and our identity, and always has been. —Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024

The challenge doesn't stop there, as the sun will clash with your celestial ruler, Neptune, on the 18th, triggering feelings of confusion and uncertainty. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024

Noun

The capsule also features a Wild West linen of rollicking cowboys and cowgirls, which is also available as wallpaper, as well as pom-pom forest and celestial-themed wallpapers. —Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2022

Curry manages to be both ordinary in size and celestial in talent. —Jerry Brewer, Anchorage Daily News, 18 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin caelestis celestial, from caelum sky

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing celestial

• celestial body
• celestial equator
• celestial globe
• celestial hierarchy
• celestial marriage
• celestial navigation
• celestial object
• celestial pole
• celestial sphere

Kids Definition

celestial

adjective

ce·​les·​tial

sə-ˈles-chəl

1

: of, relating to, or suggesting heaven

angels are celestial beings

2

: of or relating to the sky

a star is a celestial body

celestially

-chə-lē

adverb