celestial
gb/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl/ us/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl/
B2
English
~ 5900
égi, mennyei, földöntúli, éteri, égi lény, mennyei lény
B2
1
égi
B1
Usage pattern:
celestial [noun]
Astronomers study celestial bodies such as stars, planets, and galaxies.
Csillagászok égitesteket tanulmányoznak, például csillagokat, bolygókat és galaxisokat.
The observatory’s powerful telescope can track even very dim celestial objects.
A csillagvizsgáló nagy teljesítményű teleszkópja még a nagyon halvány égi objektumokat is képes követni.
Ancient sailors used celestial clues to guide their long sea voyages.
The chart shows the positions of major celestial bodies at the time of the eclipse.
Modern apps make it easy to identify celestial objects in the night sky.
Learner examples
We looked at many celestial bodies through the telescope.
Sok égitestet néztünk meg a távcsővel.
The moon is a celestial object near the Earth.
A Hold a Föld közelében lévő égitest.
He loves reading books about celestial maps and space travel.
They watched the dark sky for any small celestial lights.
Celestial objects are very far from our planet.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *celestial* for everyday weather (e.g. *celestial clouds*), which sounds unusual. For normal sky and weather, words like *cloudy*, *sunny*, or *in the sky* are more natural; *celestial* is mostly used for stars, planets, and space in general.
Meaning
Relating to the sky or outer space
Collocations
celestial bodies
|celestial objects
|celestial mechanics
|celestial navigation
|celestial sphere
|celestial map
Synonyms
astronomical (More technical; strongly linked to the science of astronomy rather than general sky or space.)
|
heavenly (Can mean ‘in the sky’ but more often has a religious or emotional tone; less scientific.)
Antonyms
terrestrial (Refers to things related to the Earth, often contrasted directly with celestial in science.)
Themes
science
|space
Definition
Connected with the sky or with space outside the Earth, like stars and planets.
Relating to the sky, the heavens, or outer space, especially the physical universe beyond the Earth.
C1
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
celestial [noun]
The painting shows a celestial kingdom filled with angels and bright light.
A festmény egy angyalokkal és ragyogó fénnyel teli mennyei birodalmat ábrázol.
Many religions describe celestial beings who watch over human affairs.
Sok vallás beszél olyan mennyei lényekről, akik őrködnek az emberek felett.
A soft, celestial glow surrounded the figure in the icon.
The choir’s voices were meant to echo a celestial chorus.
She believed that a celestial realm awaited the faithful after death.
Learner examples
The story talks about a celestial city in the sky.
A történet egy mennyei városról szól, amely az égben van.
They prayed to a celestial power for help.
Segítségért egy égi hatalomhoz imádkoztak.
The movie shows a war between celestial beings and humans.
He thinks a celestial world exists after this life.
The temple is decorated with images of celestial light.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix this sense with the scientific space sense. In religious or spiritual contexts (*angels*, *God*, *heaven*), *celestial* means ‘of heaven’, not simply ‘in outer space’.
Meaning
Relating to heaven or the divine
Collocations
celestial kingdom
|celestial realm
|celestial throne
|celestial choir
|celestial beings
|celestial light
Synonyms
heavenly (The most common everyday word for things related to heaven or God; less formal than *celestial*.)
|
divine (Emphasizes godlike power or holiness more than place or realm.)
Antonyms
earthly (Focuses on the human, physical world in contrast to the spiritual or heavenly one.)
Themes
religion
|literature
Definition
About heaven or the world of God, angels, or other holy beings.
Belonging or relating to heaven, the spiritual world, or divine beings.
C1
LITERARY
3
Usage pattern:
celestial [noun]
The violinist produced a sound of almost celestial purity.
A hegedűművész szinte földöntúli tisztaságú hangot csalt elő.
After the stress of the week, the quiet garden felt like a place of celestial calm.
A hét stressze után a csendes kert a földöntúli nyugalom helyének tűnt.
Her voice had a celestial quality that silenced the room.
They described the dessert as a celestial combination of chocolate and cream.
Sunset over the mountains created a scene of celestial beauty.
Learner examples
The music was so soft and clear that it felt celestial.
A zene olyan lágy és tiszta volt, hogy szinte földöntúlinak hatott.
He looked at her with a smile of celestial joy.
Földöntúli örömöt sugárzó mosollyal nézett rá.
The view from the top of the hill was almost celestial.
Everyone was quiet because the sound was truly celestial.
The night air and soft light gave the garden a celestial feeling.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use *celestial* for any nice thing (e.g. *a celestial car*), which sounds odd. It is usually used in literary descriptions for special beauty, peace, or joy, not for ordinary objects.
Meaning
Extremely beautiful or delightful
Collocations
celestial beauty
|celestial music
|celestial voice
|celestial harmony
|celestial joy
|celestial calm
Synonyms
sublime (Suggests great beauty or excellence that inspires deep admiration; less religious in tone.)
|
ethereal (Emphasizes light, delicate, almost unreal beauty; strongly literary like *celestial*.)
Antonyms
mundane (Stresses that something is ordinary or dull, lacking special beauty or magic.)
Themes
emotions
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very, very beautiful or pleasant, almost too good for this world.
Extremely beautiful, pure, or delightful, in a way that suggests something beyond the ordinary world.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
4
égi lény
B2
mennyei lény
B2
Usage pattern:
a/the celestial
In the myth, a celestial appears to the hero in a dream.
A mítoszban egy égi lény jelenik meg a hős álmában.
The poet describes the child as a celestial wandering among mortals.
A költő a gyermeket a halandók között bolyongó égi lényként írja le.
The painting shows a group of celestials watching over the battlefield.
She prayed that a celestial would guide her safely home.
Ancient stories often feature celestials who interfere in human affairs.
Learner examples
The story says a celestial came down from the sky.
A történet szerint egy égi lény szállt le az égből.
In the picture, a celestial stands behind the king.
A képen egy égi lény áll a király mögött.
People in the village believe a celestial protects them.
The movie shows a fight between celestials and humans.
He writes a book about celestials who live in the clouds.
Meaning
A heavenly or angelic being
Collocations
a celestial descends
|the celestials
|messengers of the celestials
Synonyms
angel (More common in everyday religious use; *celestial* is broader and more literary.)
Antonyms
mortal (Highlights the contrast between heavenly, deathless beings and ordinary humans who die.)
Themes
religion
|literature
Definition
A person or spirit from heaven, like an angel.
A being from heaven, such as an angel or other divine figure.
Grammar
Dictionary form
celestial
IPA
GB/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl/
US/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl/
Syllables & stress
ce - les - ti - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (les)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: celestial
Word family
Related words
celestially
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
terrestrial
adjective B2
Expressions
celestial being
1/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl bˈiɪŋ/
fixed phrase
literary
Heavenly or angelic being
A person or spirit from heaven, like an angel or god.
Examples
- The children’s book tells of a celestial being who protects lost travelers.
- In the painting, a celestial being hovers above the sleeping child.
- They believed that a celestial being had guided them through the storm.
celestial bodies
1/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl bˈɑdiz/
fixed phrase
technical
Multiple objects in outer space
Many natural things in space, like stars, planets, and moons.
Examples
- The night sky is filled with countless celestial bodies.
- Students labeled different celestial bodies on the space chart.
- Gravity acts between all celestial bodies, no matter how far apart they are.
celestial body
1/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl bˈɑdi/
fixed phrase
technical
Natural object in outer space
A natural thing in space, such as a star, planet, moon, or asteroid.
Examples
- The sun is the closest celestial body that provides light and heat to Earth.
- Scientists use telescopes to study distant celestial bodies in other galaxies.
- Each celestial body in our solar system follows a path around the sun.
celestial kingdom
1/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl kˈɪŋdəm/
fixed phrase
literary
Highest level of heaven
In some religions, the highest and most holy level of heaven.
Examples
- Believers hoped to live with their families forever in the celestial kingdom.
- The hymn speaks of entering the celestial kingdom after a faithful life.
- He studied religious texts that describe the celestial kingdom in great detail.
celestial mechanics
1/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl mɪkˈænɪks/
fixed phrase
technical
Study of motion of celestial bodies
The part of science that studies how planets, moons, and other space objects move.
Examples
- Her research focuses on celestial mechanics and the long-term stability of planetary orbits.
- Celestial mechanics explains why comets return after many years.
- The course in celestial mechanics covers Newton’s laws and their use in space travel.
celestial navigation
1/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl nˌævəɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Navigation using stars and planets
A way to find where you are on the sea or in the air by looking at the sun, moon, stars, and planets.
Examples
- Before modern instruments, sailors relied on celestial navigation to cross the oceans.
- He took a course in celestial navigation to prepare for his solo voyage.
- Celestial navigation requires careful measurement of angles between celestial bodies and the horizon.
celestial sphere
1/səlˈɛst͡ʃəl sfˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
Imaginary sphere of the sky
An imaginary big ball around the Earth that people use in astronomy to show where stars and planets are in the sky.
Examples
- In basic astronomy, the stars are shown on the surface of the celestial sphere.
- The celestial sphere helps students understand how the night sky appears to move.
- Astronomers use coordinates on the celestial sphere to describe the position of objects.