celestial

[ suh-les-chuhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to the sky or visible heaven, or to the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere, as in celestial body
2. pertaining to the spiritual or invisible heaven; heavenly; divine:

   celestial bliss.

   Synonyms: ethereal, beatific, seraphic, angelic

3. of or relating to celestial navigation:

   a celestial fix.

4. Celestial, of or relating to the former Chinese Empire or the Chinese people.

noun

1. an inhabitant of heaven.
2. Celestial, a citizen of the Celestial Empire.

celestial

/ sɪˈlɛstɪəl /

adjective

1. heavenly; divine; spiritual

   celestial peace

2. of or relating to the sky

   celestial bodies

celestial

/ sə-lĕs′chəl /

1. Relating to the sky or the heavens. Stars and planets are celestial bodies.
2. Relating to the celestial sphere or to any of the coordinate systems by which the position of an object, such as a star or planet, is represented on it.

Derived Forms

• ceˈlestially, adverb

Other Words From

• ce·lestial·ly adverb
• ce·lestial·ness ce·les·ti·al·i·ty [s, uh, -les-chee-, al, -i-tee], noun
• nonce·lestial adjective
• nonce·lestial·ly adverb
• super·ce·lestial adjective
• super·ce·lestial·ly adverb
• unce·lestial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of celestial¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin cēlestiālis, equivalent to Latin caelesti(s) “heavenly” ( cael(um “heaven, sky” + -estis adjective suffix) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of celestial¹

C14: from Medieval Latin cēlestiālis, from Latin caelestis, from caelum heaven

Example Sentences

And when people are ogling the night sky this week, they should also keep an eye out for two additional celestial sightings — Saturn and the appearance of an ancient Oort cloud comet, she added.

From Los Angeles Times

The first wig is inspired by the celestial bodies, by the stars.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition, mobile apps such as SkySafari 7 and Night Sky enable users to locate celestial objects simply by pointing their phones at the sky.

From Los Angeles Times

As the finger-like celestial objects seem to grasp into the heavens, the Pillars of Creation are almost impossible to adequately describe with human language.

From Salon

Technically known as a "mini-moon event," celestial bodies like asteroids and comets will occasionally be captured by Earth's gravitational pull and temporarily orbit around our home.

From Salon

Related Words

• angelic
• divine
• ethereal
• immortal
• otherworldly
• spiritual
• sublime
• supernatural