Heavenly
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈhɛvənli/
Origin
From Middle English hevenly, heofonlich, from Old English heofonlīċ ("heavenly, celestial; chaste"), equivalent to heaven + -ly.
Full definition of heavenly
Adjective
heavenly
- Of or pertaining to the heaven believed in by many religions; good, beautiful, glorious, pleasurable.
- Of or pertaining to the heavens or sky, regarded as the realm of the sun, moon, planets and stars.
- Of or pertaining to the kingdom of God; divine.
- 1817, Charles Phillips (Irish barrister) (author-editor), Speech in the Case of O′Mullan v. M′Korkill, The Speeches of Charles Phillips, page 131,No doubt, you have all personally considered — no doubt, you have all personally experienced, that of all the blessings which it has pleased Providence to allow us to cultivate, there is not one which breathes a purer fragrance, or bears an heavenlier aspect than education.
- Extremely beautiful or pleasurable.Oh, please continue giving me a massage - it′s absolutely heavenly.
- 1880, Mark Twain, , The Works of Mark Twain: Authorized Uniform Edition, Volume 1, page 19,So he flew down and got that acorn, and fetched it up and dropped it in, and was just tilting his head back, with the heavenliest smile on his face, when all of a sudden he was paralyzed into a listening attitude and that smile faded gradually out of his countenance like breath off′n a razor, and the queerest look of surprise took its place.
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Adverb
heavenly
- In a manner like that of heaven; by the influence or agency of heaven; divinely, miraculously.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.12:by night she saw that God in her armes, saying moreover unto her, that the next day, the first man she met withall, should heavenly pay her her wages.
- To a degree such as to elicit great pleasure.
- 2003, Ruben Soto, Fiesta for the Hispanic Soul, p. 136:Then, we taste the refried beans and the rice, and they are so heavenly delicious.