Astronomical Meaning
/ˌæs.tɹəˈnɒm.ɪ.kəl/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf or relating to astronomy.
adjVery large; of vast measure.
Sentence Examples
The figure will be astronomical.
The odds against that happening are astronomical.
The odds of you not dying are astronomical.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The cost of the new stadium was ____, reaching over one billion dollars in total expenses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The project's budget has reached an ____ level for our company.
Word Origin & History
Attested since at least 1550, from Middle French astronomique or directly from Latin astronomicus, from Ancient Greek ἀστρονομικός (astronomikós).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Finally, all men saw that astronomical knowledge lied not, and they awaited the comet."
— 1839, Edgar Allan Poe, The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion:
"Drawings and pictures are more than mere ornaments in scientific discourse. Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story."
— 2012 March 26, Brian Hayes, “Pixels or Perish”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 19 Feb 2013, page 106:
"At the moment he wondered why anyone would want to visit Khatka, let alone pay some astronomical sum for the privilege."
— 1959, Andre Norton, Voodoo Planet - Chapter IV:
"The cost of such a work now, of course, would be astronomical."
— 1962 June, “Letters to the Editor: Diesel suburban services in Bristol”, in Modern Railways, page 430:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The cost of the new stadium was ____, reaching over one billion dollars in total expenses.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The project's budget has reached an ____ level for our company.