astronomical
Meaning: Extremely large in amount or scale, by analogy with the vast distances and quantities found in astronomy; informally, absurdly or shockingly high.
In its figurative sense, astronomical is a vivid intensifier used to convey that a number or cost is staggeringly high. 'Astronomical costs,' 'astronomical figures,' 'astronomical sums' — the word evokes the incomprehensible scale of cosmic distances. It is common in journalism and everyday professional speech, and carries a note of dismay or disbelief. The literal sense relating to the science of astronomy is a separate, neutral usage.
Examples
- The astronomical cost of the HS2 railway project has prompted renewed calls for a full spending review. HS2高速铁路项目的天文数字般的成本再次引发了进行全面支出审查的呼声。El coste astronómico del proyecto ferroviario HS2 ha provocado renovadas peticiones de una revisión integral del gasto.HS2高速鉄道プロジェクトの天文学的な費用は、包括的な支出見直しを求める声を再び高めた。HS2 고속철도 프로젝트의 천문학적 비용은 전면적인 지출 검토를 요구하는 목소리를 다시 높이게 했다.
- House prices in parts of the South East have reached astronomical levels, pricing out first-time buyers entirely. 东南部部分地区的房价已达到天文数字般的水平,首次购房者完全被挤出市场。Los precios de la vivienda en zonas del sudeste han alcanzado niveles astronómicos, excluyendo por completo a los compradores primerizos.イングランド南東部の一部では住宅価格が天文学的な水準に達し、初めて家を買う人々を完全に締め出している。잉글랜드 남동부 일부 지역의 주택 가격은 천문학적 수준에 도달하여 생애 첫 주택 구매자들을 완전히 시장에서 밀어냈다.
- The pharmaceutical company faced criticism for charging astronomical sums for a drug that cost relatively little to manufacture. 该制药公司因对一种生产成本相对低廉的药物收取天价而受到批评。La farmacéutica fue criticada por cobrar sumas astronómicas por un medicamento cuya fabricación costaba relativamente poco.その製薬会社は、製造コストが比較的低い薬に天文学的な金額を請求したとして批判を浴びた。그 제약회사는 제조 비용이 비교적 낮은 약에 천문학적 금액을 청구한 것으로 비판을 받았다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, professional
Tone: critical
Origin & History
From Greek astronomikos, from astronomia (star-arranging), from astron (star) + nomos (law, arrangement). The figurative sense of 'immensely large' developed in the 19th century by analogy with the vast numbers in astronomical calculation.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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