heavenly

adjective

heav·​en·​ly ˈhe-vən-lē 

1

: of or relating to heaven or the heavens : celestial

the heavenly choirs

use a telescope to study the heavenly bodies

2

a

: suggesting the blessed state of heaven : beatific

heavenly peace

b

: delightful

heavenliness noun

Synonyms

• A-OK
• A1
• awesome
• bang-up
• banner
• beautiful
• blue-chip
• blue-ribbon
• boffo
• bonny [chiefly British]
• bonnie
• boss [slang]
• brag
• brave
• bully
• bumper
• capital
• choice
• classic
• cool [slang]
• corking
• crackerjack
• cracking
• dandy
• divine
• dope [slang]
• down [slang]
• dynamite
• excellent
• fab
• fabulous
• famous
• fantabulous [slang]
• fantastic
• fine
• first-class
• first-rate
• first-string
• five-star
• four-star
• frontline
• gangbusters
• gangbuster
• gilt-edged
• gilt-edge
• gone [slang]
• grand
• great
• groovy
• high-class
• hot
• hype [slang]
• immense
• jim-dandy
• keen
• lovely
• marvelous
• marvellous
• mean
• neat
• nifty
• noble
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• out-of-sight [slang]
• par excellence
• peachy
• peachy keen
• phat [slang]
• prime
• primo [slang]
• prize
• prizewinning
• quality
• radical [slang]
• righteous [slang]
• sensational
• slick
• splendid
• stellar
• sterling
• superb
• superior
• superlative
• supernal
• swell
• terrific
• tip-top
• top
• top-notch
• top-of-the-line
• top-shelf
• topflight
• topping [chiefly British]
• unsurpassed
• wizard [chiefly British]
• wonderful

Examples of heavenly in a Sentence

The weather on vacation was heavenly.

Do not concern yourself with material possessions, but with things heavenly, the prophet admonished.

the moon, stars, and other heavenly bodies

had a heavenly time at the dance

Recent Examples on the Web

Bell peppers, onions, potatoes, and fresh rosemary emit a heavenly smell while cooking on the stove. —Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2024

The trailer also offers a rendering of a Black heavenly deity preoccupied with playing video games. —Kyle Bowser, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024

The turn in the weather did not arrive in time to ruin stargazers’ plans of watching the rare heavenly event. —David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024

Her singing is just as vivid and varied across the LP, with gutsy growls and breathy trills against multi-tracked harmony vocals that approximate the heavenly abundance of a gospel choir. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Below, take a moment to honor the Queen of Soul’s heavenly birthday with 75 of her most iconic beauty moments of all time. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Mar. 2024

Get The Recipe 05 of 75 Chocolate Strawberry Cake Chocolate and strawberry come together to create a heavenly delight. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2024

Just save room for Tupelo Honey’s heavenly banana pudding. —Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024

The heavenly choir anthem was recorded to encourage Tennesseans to register and vote for Gloria Johnson, who is challenging Republican incumbent U.S. senator — and the state’s Darth Vader — Marsha Blackburn in the November election. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing heavenly

• heavenly body

Kids Definition

heavenly

adjective

heav·​en·​ly ˈhev-ən-lē 

1

: of or relating to heaven or the heavens

heavenly bodies such as the stars

2

: suggesting the blessed state of heaven

heavenly grace

3

: completely delightful

a heavenly day

heavenliness noun