astronomical

[ as-truh-nom-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or connected with astronomy.
2. extremely large; exceedingly great; enormous:

   It takes an astronomical amount of money to build a car factory.

astronomical

/ ˌæstrəˈnɒmɪkəl /

adjective

1. enormously large; immense
2. of or relating to astronomy

Derived Forms

• ˌastroˈnomically, adverb

Other Words From

• as·tro·nom·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·as·tro·nom·ic adjective
• non·as·tro·nom·i·cal adjective
• non·as·tro·nom·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of astronomical¹

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin astronomic(us) (from Greek astronomikós ) + -al ¹; astronomy, -ic

Example Sentences

Once infected, they churn out “astronomical numbers” of viral particles, Ehre says, potentially propelling the particles deeper into the lungs, which can cause pneumonia, or out into the air where they can infect others.

From Science News

So the site may make more sense as a terrifying journey to a cave-like underworld than as an astronomical observatory.

From Nautilus

The big question though, is just how long this astronomical growth will last.

From Digiday

The upshot is that smaller blobs mean a higher inferred cosmic expansion rate — bringing the inferred rate much closer to measurements of how fast supernovas and other astronomical objects actually seem to be flying apart.

From Quanta Magazine

The latest such discovery is an enormous Mayan structure, more than a kilometer long, 3,000 years old, and seemingly used for astronomical observations.

From Singularity Hub 

Since last year, public approval for the ban has shot up from an already astronomical 91 percent to 93 percent.

From The Daily Beast

More than likely, however, this is just a rare and beautiful astronomical event to be enjoyed.

From The Daily Beast

Data from 107 galaxies out of the preliminary sample is freely available to the astronomical community for study.

From The Daily Beast

No amount of money could meet his demands, making the damages for his suit “priceless”—hence the astronomical sum.

From The Daily Beast

A little astronomical forensics suggests that these objects used to be a binary: two stars in mutual orbit.

From The Daily Beast

Let us suppose that the Astronomer Royal claimed infallibility, not only in matters astronomical, but also in politics and morals.

From Project Gutenberg

Science began with astronomy, and the first instruments which men contrived for the purpose of investigation were astronomical.

From Project Gutenberg

He made several astronomical discoveries, and improved the air pump.

From Project Gutenberg

But we know that Aries is meant, from purely astronomical considerations.

From Project Gutenberg

Those who reason without astronomical knowledge will never reach the truth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• colossal
• considerable
• enormous
• gigantic
• humongous
• monumental
• sizeable
• tremendous
• vast
• whopping