astrology
Americannoun
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the study that assumes and attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs.
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Obsolete. the science of astronomy.
noun
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the study of the motions and relative positions of the planets, sun, and moon, interpreted in terms of human characteristics and activities
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the primitive study of celestial bodies, which formed the basis of astronomy
Other Word Forms
- astrologer noun
- astrologic adjective
- astrological adjective
- astrologically adverb
- astrologist noun
- astrologous adjective
Etymology
Origin of astrology
1325–75; Middle English < Latin astrologia < Greek. See astro-, -logy
Compare meaning
How does astrology compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If you don't leave your house without checking your horoscope, and you’re always asking people, “What’s your sign?” you’re likely a fan of astrology — the idea that the stars and planets and their movements influence human life. Astrology comes from the Greek astron "star" and the suffix -ology "study of." The actual science of the celestial bodies is astronomy, which also includes the Greek word for "star" but with a suffix that means "arranging." Astrology has been around since ancient times, and while it requires some knowledge of astronomy, it’s about as scientific as fortune telling and palm reading.
Vocabulary lists containing astrology
From Ascension to Zenith: Astronomy and Stargazing Terms
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Oh, My Stars! A Solstice Sampler
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Elements of the Universe: Aster, Astro ("Star")
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Others have turned toward astrology, a less scientific but increasingly popular way of divining meaning from the night sky.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
A music mode lets people give greater weight to musical tastes while seeking promising profiles, while a new astrology mode makes star signs a factor in the mix.
From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026
When the external ladder feels shaky, many turn inward or sideways, experimenting with astrology, breathwork, or incense-lit rituals that blur the line between spirituality and self-care.
From Barron's • Nov. 1, 2025
His now-defunct TikTok account, which has more than 300,000 followers, claims to make predictions based on astrology and palmistry.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025
Mathematics wasn’t used for anything impractical, except their system of astrology.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
