cosmic

adjective

cos·​mic ˈkäz-mik 

variants or less commonly cosmical

ˈkäz-mi-kəl 

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

ˈkäz-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of cosmic

• giant
• gigantic
• huge
• vast
• tremendous
• enormous
• massive
• colossal
• astronomical
• mammoth
• monumental
• bumper
• immense
• titanic
• galactic
• monster
• planetary
• monstrous
• mountainous
• grand
• oceanic

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

Hooper and other cosmologists have suggested that PBHs are a natural outcome of conditions in the early universe, such as inflation—a sudden exponential increase in cosmic expansion that is thought to have occurred shortly after the big bang. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026

However, scan times remain impractically slow because the natural stream of these cosmic particles arrives so gradually. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

This allows researchers to investigate how the first galaxies and the first stars, known as Population III (POP III) stars, lit the shadows of the cosmic dark ages. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Named after fast-flying birds, the telescope could quickly pivot to observe blink-and-you-miss-it cosmic events like flaring black holes. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek kosmikos, from kosmos order, universe

First Known Use

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cosmic

• cosmic background radiation
• cosmic dust
• cosmic microwave background
• cosmic noise
• cosmic ray
• cosmic string

Rhymes for cosmic

• osmic
• microcosmic

Kids Definition

cosmic

adjective

cos·​mic ˈkäz-mik 

1

: of or relating to the cosmos

cosmic theories

2

: extremely vast : grand

cosmic dimensions