astronomical figure

USAGE SUMMARY

'astronomical figure' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an extremely large quantity or amount of something. For example, "The astronomical figure for the cost of this project came as a shock to everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Adjusted for inflation, that's about $24m – an astronomical figure for an Australian production.

The Guardian - Film

At the end of the '80s, Geffen sold his company to MCA for an astronomical figure and became the richest man in Hollywood.

The New Yorker

Moreover, estimates put Spanish war-related expenses at 3.2 billion pesetas (more than $540 million), an astronomical figure given the size of Spain's economy at the time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rangers in this period made successive annual losses of £19m, £32m and £29m – staggering in the context of Scottish football – but onwards they barged under Murray, signing Tore André Flo for £12m, an astronomical figure in Scotland, in 2000.

The Guardian - Sport

Vantone spent ten million yuan on a marketing campaign — an astronomical figure then — and it was able to take out big ads in major papers like the overseas edition of People's Daily, Shanghai's Wenhui Daily, and Hong Kong's Dagong Daily.

The New Yorker

He had run his total winnings from the three races of the Triple Crown to $268,420, an astronomical figure when compared with the $57,275 earned by Sir Barton in the same races 27 years earlier.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Astronomical figures decorate the ceilings of several burial chambers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I regard the astronomical figures on the menu and scuttle away.

The Guardian - Travel

He wasn't scoring in astronomical figures, and he did not have to.

The New York Times - Sports

Statistics of their abundance take us at once into astronomical figures.

The New Yorker

"There is a lot of envy about what footballers earn, the astronomical figures," he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astronomical figure" to emphasize that a number or amount is surprisingly or shockingly large, particularly when compared to something else for contrast.

Common error

Avoid using "astronomical figure" for amounts that are simply large but not exceptionally so in their context. The phrase implies a sense of disbelief or shock due to the scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astronomical figure" functions as a modifier and noun construction, used to describe a numerical value that is perceived as extremely large or beyond normal expectations. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "astronomical figure" is a phrase used to describe an exceptionally large number or amount, often implying surprise or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, especially in News & Media and Encyclopedias. Its usage aims to emphasize the magnitude of a particular quantity. When writing, it is best used to highlight amounts that are strikingly large compared to a norm or expectation. Alternatives like "staggering cost" or "huge amount" can be used depending on the nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enormous number

Replaces "figure" with "number", emphasizing quantity rather than a specific calculated value.

huge amount

Uses "amount" instead of "figure", focusing on the overall quantity or extent.

exorbitant sum

Substitutes "figure" with "sum", suggesting a particularly high or excessive value.

colossal price

Replaces "figure" with "price", highlighting the high cost associated with something.

massive quantity

Uses "quantity" in place of "figure", emphasizing the great amount of something.

significant value

Replaces both "astronomical" and "figure" to focus on the importance and worth, not just the size.

staggering cost

Substitutes "astronomical" with "staggering" and "figure" with "cost", emphasizing the overwhelming expense.

prohibitive price

Changes both words to emphasize that it is too high to purchase something.

unbelievable quantity

Uses the term “unbelievable” to replace “astronomical”, indicating that it's difficult to accept the number of something.

outrageous amount

Changes both words to indicate that the amount is unacceptable or shocking.

FAQs

How can I use "astronomical figure" in a sentence?

You can use "astronomical figure" to describe a surprisingly large amount or number. For instance, "The cost of the project reached an "astronomical figure" due to unexpected delays."

What's a good alternative to "astronomical figure"?

Alternatives include "staggering amount", "huge number", or "exorbitant sum" depending on the context. Each emphasizes the large size or value but with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to use "astronomical" to describe something other than numbers?

While "astronomical" is most commonly used with quantities, it can also describe something of immense size or importance. However, in those cases it is more correct to use "astronomical level" or "astronomical scale" instead of "astronomical figure".

In what contexts is "astronomical figure" most appropriate?

"Astronomical figure" is particularly suitable when discussing budgets, costs, statistics, or any numerical data that is surprisingly large or significantly exceeds expectations. It is found in reports and news articles.