cosmos

IPA/ˈkɒzmɒs/
KK[kˈɑzmos]IPA/ˈkɑːzməʊs/

cosmos — noun

  • cosmossingular
  • cosmosesplural

1. The whole of space, time, and everything that exists, seen as a single organized

1.nounB2
Definition

The whole of space, time, and everything that exists, seen as a single organized system rather than as random or chaotic.

Example

Ignacio often reads books about the cosmos and the origins of stars.

common collocation: read about / study the cosmos

The new telescope allows scientists to observe distant parts of the cosmos.

common collocation: observe / explore the cosmos

Common collocations
  • the cosmos
  • the origins of the cosmos
  • the structure of the cosmos
  • observe the cosmos
  • study the cosmos
  • explore the cosmos
  • the cosmos + verb (expands, formed, began)
Synonyms
  • universe

    Everyday equivalent; 'universe' is less philosophical and more common in general contexts.

  • the heavens

    Poetic or religious term for the sky and celestial realm; less scientific.

  • space

    Focuses on the physical void between celestial bodies, not the system as a whole.

Antonyms
  • chaos

    In Greek thought, the disordered state that existed before the cosmos.

Grammar Patterns

the + cosmos

cosmos of + noun (rare)

Usage Note

In modern English, 'the cosmos' appears more often in literary, philosophical, or formal scientific writing than in everyday conversation. For casual speech, 'the universe' is the usual choice.

Common Mistakes

He looked up at the cosmos through his telescope.
He looked up at the night sky through his telescope.
'Cosmos' refers to the whole universe as an ordered system, not the visible night sky. Use 'sky,' 'stars,' or 'heavens' for what you can see from Earth.

2. A tall garden plant with bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, white, or

2.nounC1
Definition

A tall garden plant with bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, white, orange, or purple, originally from Mexico and popular among home gardeners.

Example

Greta planted cosmos along the fence, and the orange flowers bloomed all summer.

cosmos as a countable noun for the plant; gardening collocation

The flower market was full of tall cosmos in shades of pink and white.

Common collocations
  • plant cosmos
  • grow cosmos
  • cosmos flowers
  • cosmos seeds
  • cosmos stems
  • tall cosmos
  • pink / white / orange cosmos
Synonyms
  • Mexican aster

    Alternative common name; less widely used than 'cosmos'.

Grammar Patterns

cosmos + noun (flower, stem, seed)

plant / grow + cosmos

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words relate to what exists beyond Earth, but they highlight different aspects. 'Universe' is the broad, everyday term for everything that physically exists — matter, energy, galaxies, and the laws that govern them. 'Cosmos' overlaps with 'universe' but adds a strong sense of order and harmony; it is more common in philosophical, literary, or formal scientific contexts. 'Space' refers to the empty, three-dimensional expanse between celestial bodies, not the system as a whole. 'The heavens' is an older, poetic or religious term for the sky and the realm of stars and planets. For example, an astronomer studies the universe, but a poet might write about the cosmos; astronauts travel through space, and ancient people looked to the heavens for signs.

universe ↗space ↗the heavens ↗

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word comes from ancient Greek 'kosmos', which originally meant 'order' or 'ornament.' The ancient Greeks used it to describe the world or universe because they saw it as a beautifully ordered system — the opposite of chaos. Through Latin and French, the word entered English in the 17th century with both the astronomical meaning and, later, the name of the garden plant (chosen for its neatly arranged petals).