cosmic

adjective

cos·​mic ˈkäz-mik How to pronounce cosmic (audio)
variants or less commonly cosmical
1
a
: of or relating to the cosmos, the extraterrestrial vastness, or the universe in contrast to the earth alone
cosmic radiation
b
: of, relating to, or concerned with abstract spiritual or metaphysical (see metaphysical sense 2) ideas
cosmic wisdom
2
: characterized by greatness especially in extent, intensity, or comprehensiveness
a cosmic thinker
a book of cosmic significance
cosmically adverb

Examples of cosmic in a Sentence

The discovery caused a cosmic shift in people's views of the world. predicted that the war would forever be regarded as a cosmic error
Recent Examples on the Web But cosmic balance dictates that nothing is more deflating than a bad peach. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 There’s a very plausible story that’s richly detailed that aligns all the arrows with that one arrow of cosmic evolution. Quanta Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 The cosmic metallic tones created steel gazes, with drool dripping from the corners of the mouth. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Feb. 2024 Mars squaring off with Jupiter packs a cosmic punch. USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 Water’s cosmic odyssey began hundreds of millions of years after the big bang. Shannon Hall, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024 Related Stories Spaceman The Bottom Line A sentimental awakening rendered banal by its cosmic setting. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2024 Quicksilver ran a chain of cosmic gift shops called Star Magic in the 1990s and was a regular at the Whole Life Expo. Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2024 Maybe the cosmic joke that is our place in the universe just ain’t that funny anymore. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cosmic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek kosmikos, from kosmos order, universe

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cosmic was in 1685

Dictionary Entries Near cosmic

Cite this Entry

“Cosmic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cosmic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cosmic

adjective
cos·​mic ˈkäz-mik How to pronounce cosmic (audio)
1
: of or relating to the cosmos
cosmic theories
2
: extremely vast : grand
cosmic dimensions

More from Merriam-Webster on cosmic

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