celestial

1 of 2

adjective

ce·​les·​tial sə-ˈles-chəl 

-ˈlesh-,

-ˈle-stē-əl

1

: of, relating to, or suggesting heaven or divinity

celestial beings

2

: of or relating to the sky or visible heavens

the sun, moon, and stars are celestial bodies

3

a

: ethereal, otherworldly

celestial music

b

: olympian, supreme

the celestial impudence of the boy

—Leonard Bacon

4

capitalized [Celestial Empire, old name for China] : of or relating to China or the Chinese

5

: eminently pleasing : delightful, heavenly

It's possible that the cuisine has become even more celestial since the return of his former sous chef …

—Tanya Wenman Steel

celestially

sə-ˈles-chə-lē 

-ˈlesh-

-ˈle-stē-ə-lē

adverb

celestial

2 of 2

noun

1

: a heavenly or mythical being

2

capitalized : chinese sense 1a

Synonyms

Adjective

• elysian
• empyreal
• empyrean
• ethereal
• heavenly
• supernal

Examples of celestial in a Sentence

Adjective

stars, planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies

The late afternoon sunlight gave the room a celestial glow.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Upcoming celestial events The Northern Taurids are set to peak about a week later on November 11 and 12, and sky-gazers could see an increase in meteors blazing across the sky when both showers are active. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024

This celestial synergy brings profound insights for a stronger connection to your inner self, Sagittarius. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

The capsule also features a Wild West linen of rollicking cowboys and cowgirls, which is also available as wallpaper, as well as pom-pom forest and celestial-themed wallpapers. —Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 16 Aug. 2022

Curry manages to be both ordinary in size and celestial in talent. —Jerry Brewer, Anchorage Daily News, 18 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin caelestis celestial, from caelum sky

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing celestial

• celestial body
• celestial equator
• celestial globe
• celestial hierarchy
• celestial marriage
• celestial navigation
• celestial object
• celestial pole
• celestial sphere

Kids Definition

celestial

adjective

ce·​les·​tial

sə-ˈles-chəl

1

: of, relating to, or suggesting heaven

angels are celestial beings

2

: of or relating to the sky

a star is a celestial body

celestially

-chə-lē

adverb