preternatural

[pree-ter-nach-er-uhl, -nach-ruhl, pre-]

adjective

1. out of the ordinary course of nature; exceptional or abnormal.

   preternatural powers.

   Synonyms: unnatural, extraordinary, unusual
   Antonyms: usual, ordinary

2. outside of nature; supernatural.

preternatural

/ ˌpriːtəˈnætʃrəl /

adjective

1. beyond what is ordinarily found in nature; abnormal

2. another word for supernatural

Other Word Forms

• preternaturalism noun
• preternaturality noun
• preternaturalness noun
• preternaturally adverb
• unpreternatural adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preternatural¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin praeternātūrālis, adjective based on Latin phrase praeter nātūram “beyond nature”; preter-, natural

Word History and Origins

Origin of preternatural¹

C16: from Medieval Latin praeternātūrālis, from Latin praeter natūram beyond the scope of nature

Synonym Study

See miraculous.

Example Sentences

Like “Happy Gilmore,” the sequel finds Happy down on his luck, in desperate need of cash and turning to his preternatural ability as a golfer to remedy his problems.

From Salon

Ozzy Osbourne, who died Tuesday at the age of 76, was an undisputed rock god whose preternatural wail shook the gates of hell.

From Salon

That his tantalizing talent was matched by a preternatural aptitude.

From Los Angeles Times

He has the preternatural ability to contort his facial expressions ever so slightly, going from innocent to cold and malevolent and back again in a split second.

From Salon

There is no way any of this ends well, despite Trump’s preternatural ability to avoid the piercing light of day.

From Salon