Word
planetary
Phoneticsplan·e·tary
US/ˈpɫænəˌtɛɹi/
UK/plˈænɪtəɹi/
Definitions
01relating to planets
B2 · Upper Intermediate Science Technical
adj. relating to planets or how they move around a star.
adj. relating to, or consisting of planets; specifically describing the orbital motion of celestial bodies within a solar system.
“Scientists are studying the planetary alignment that will happen next month.”
“The probe was designed to withstand the extreme atmospheric pressures found during its descent into the planetary core of Jupiter.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
02global or worldwide
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. relating to the whole Earth and everyone on it.
adj. relating to the entire planet Earth; often used in environmental or sociological contexts to denote a global scale.
“Climate change is a planetary problem that requires every country to work together.”
“The report argues that we have already exceeded several planetary boundaries, risking irreversible damage to the Earth's ecosystem.”
Usage
Commonly used in academic writing regarding the environment or sustainability.
Synonyms
03a type of nebula
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical
n. a short way to say 'planetary nebula', which is a cloud of gas around a dying star.
n. A clipped form of 'planetary nebula', referring to an astronomical object consisting of an expanding shell of ionized gas ejected from a red giant star.
“The astronomer pointed his telescope toward a bright planetary in the constellation.”
“The high-resolution images revealed intricate structures within the planetary, suggesting a complex history of mass loss from the progenitor star.”
Teaching tip
This noun use is highly specialized; most learners will only encounter the word as an adjective.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Understanding how it became the cold, dry planet we see today is important for understanding how planetary environments evolve over time," said Zhang.” “The AMOC is part of the same planetary heat-moving system that drives weather itself.” Etymology
From planet + -ary.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/planetary