astrology

noun

as·​trol·​o·​gy ə-ˈsträ-lə-jē 

1

: the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects

2

archaic : astronomy

astrological

ˌa-strə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

astrologically

ˌa-strə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The Difference Between Astronomy and Astrology

Some may find it easy to confuse astronomy and astrology. At one time, these two words actually were synonymous (that is, astronomy once meant what astrology means today), but they have since moved apart from each other. In current use, astronomy is concerned with “the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere,” while astrology is the purported divination of how stars and planets influence our lives. Put bluntly, astronomy is a science, and astrology is not.

Examples of astrology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While some astrology enthusiasts emblazon their sun signs on Instagram bios, others go the permanent route, tattooing eternal odes to the celestial bodies on their actual bodies. —Micaela English, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026

To address this problem, Hint has worked to reframe astrology not as fortune-telling, but emotional pattern recognition supported by astronomical data and artificial intelligence (AI) personalization. —Felysha Walker, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026

According to Chinese astrology, Horses experience highs and lows in love, work and health in their Zodiac year. —Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 17 Feb. 2026

Humans often use astrology—the ancient belief that the sun, moon, and planets influence our behaviors and life paths—to explain the unexplainable. —Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English astrologie "study of celestial bodies, prediction by observing the configuration of celestial bodies," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French astrologie, borrowed from Latin astrologia "study of celestial bodies," borrowed from Greek astrología, from astro- astro- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for astrology

• anthology
• apology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology
• ethnology

Kids Definition

astrology

noun

as·​trol·​o·​gy ə-ˈsträl-ə-jē 

: the study of the supposed influences of the stars on human affairs by their positions in relation to each other

astrologer

-jər

noun

astrological

ˌas-trə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

astrologically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb