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 of astronomical

• huge
• enormous
• vast
• tremendous
• gigantic
• massive
• giant
• colossal
• monumental
• immense
• mammoth
• bumper
• titanic
• mountainous
• cosmic
• planetary
• monstrous

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

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

There will be higher astronomical tides Sunday and Monday, so much of the coast could be vulnerable to at least minor coastal flooding and beach erosion. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 17 Feb. 2026

Meteorological spring is in 12 days on March 1, while astronomical spring, aka the vernal equinox, is in 31 days on March 20. —Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026

The astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the spring equinox, which lands on March 20, according to the Farmer's Almanac. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for astronomical

• anatomical
• economical
• comical
• neuroanatomical
• uneconomical

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