unearthly

[ uhn-urth-lee ]

adjective

1. seeming not to belong to this earth or world:

   unearthly beauty.

2. supernatural; ghostly; unnaturally strange; weird:

   an unearthly scream.

   Synonyms: spectral, preternatural

3. out of the ordinary; unreasonable or absurd:

   to get up at an unearthly hour.

unearthly

/ ʌnˈɜːθlɪ /

adjective

1. ghostly; eerie; weird

   unearthly screams

2. heavenly; sublime

   unearthly music

3. ridiculous or unreasonable (esp in the phrase unearthly hour )

Derived Forms

• unˈearthliness, noun

Other Words From

• un·earthli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unearthly¹

First recorded in 1605–15; un- ¹ + earthly

Synonym Study

See weird.

Example Sentences

Wind and water-shaped Ishi Wilderness’ 42,079 acres of surreal scenery, from basaltic outcroppings to unearthly lava formations.

From Outside Online

After passing through a region of silence and blindness the spectator slid into the seat and submitted to an unearthly visitation.

From Time

Huge, dim forms rushed alongside the embankment, making unearthly sounds.

From Project Gutenberg

Again that wild unearthly sound rustled among the bushes, and the dog broke out into a long dismal howl.

From Project Gutenberg

The sky was cloudless and the silver rays of a nearly full moon lit up the scene with an unearthly beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

He would go alone if he must; no barricade of unearthly beasts could hold him from the great adventure.

From Project Gutenberg

That unearthly silence still brooded over the great river and lonely forest.

From Project Gutenberg