astronomical
gb/ˌæstɹənˈɑmɪkəl/ us/ˌæstɹənˈɑmɪkəl/
B2
English
~ 9200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
extremely and often unusually large
Very, very large in amount, size, or number, often so large that it seems too much.
Usage pattern:
astronomical [amount/price/number/cost]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "astronomical" can only be used about space or stars. In everyday English, it is very often used to describe very high prices, costs, or numbers in general. Another confusion is with the much rarer form "astronomic"; in modern English, "astronomical" is strongly preferred.
Synonyms
enormous (Very common neutral synonym; slightly less emphatic and less colorful than "astronomical".)
|
huge (Informal, very frequent; suggests great size but not necessarily the sense of being unreasonably high.)
|
colossal (More dramatic and literary; emphasizes something impressively or shockingly large.)
Antonyms
small (General opposite in terms of size or quantity.)
|
modest (Opposite in the sense of being limited or not excessive in amount or size.)
Collocations
astronomical prices
|astronomical cost
|astronomical amounts
|astronomical numbers
|an astronomical figure
|astronomical sum
Themes
size
|money
|numbers
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The rent in that part of the city is astronomical for such a tiny apartment.
- Ticket prices for the concert were astronomical, so many fans stayed home.
- The company posted an astronomical loss in the last quarter.
- The amount of data generated by the experiment is absolutely astronomical.
Learner examples
- The hotel bill was astronomical, so we will not stay there again.
- House prices in this area are astronomical for young people.
- They paid an astronomical amount of money for that painting.
- The new phone has an astronomical number of features.
adjective
technical
C1
property
2
relating to astronomy or space
Connected with astronomy, the science that studies stars, planets, and other things in space.
Usage pattern:
astronomical [data/observations/research/unit/telescope]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse "astronomical" with "astrological". "Astronomical" is about the science of space, while "astrological" is about horoscopes and zodiac signs. Learners also sometimes use this technical sense when they really mean the figurative sense of "very large".
Synonyms
celestial (Focuses on objects in the sky or outer space; somewhat more literary and not limited to scientific context.)
|
astronomic (Less common variant; used mostly in technical or older texts, often interchangeable in scientific contexts.)
Antonyms
terrestrial (Describes things related to the Earth, in contrast to things in outer space.)
Collocations
astronomical observation
|astronomical data
|astronomical telescope
|astronomical unit
|astronomical research
|astronomical observatory
Themes
science
|space
Examples
- The observatory is equipped with some of the most advanced astronomical instruments in the world.
- She specializes in astronomical data analysis, focusing on distant galaxies.
- Astronomical observations suggest that the planet may have an atmosphere similar to Earth's.
- The astronomical unit is a standard measure of distance within our solar system.
Learner examples
- He is doing astronomical research at the university.
- Astronomical telescopes help scientists study very distant stars.
- They spent the night making astronomical observations of the moon.
- Students learned about astronomical units in their science class.
Grammar
Dictionary form
astronomical
IPA
GB/ˌæstɹənˈɑmɪkəl/
US/ˌæstɹənˈɑmɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
as - tro - nom - ic - al (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (nom)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: astronomical
Word family
Core family
Related words
astronomic
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.