otherworldly

[ uhth-er-wurld-lee ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or devoted to another world, as the world of imagination or the world to come.

otherworldly

/ ˌʌðəˈwɜːldlɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to the spiritual or imaginative world
2. impractical or unworldly

Derived Forms

• ˌotherˈworldliness, noun

Other Words From

• other·worldli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of otherworldly¹

1870–75; other world + -ly

Example Sentences

Her big numbers — “With One Look,” “As If We Never Said Goodbye” — have an otherworldly quality.

From Los Angeles Times

The French Senegalese filmmaker returns with a rich and absorbing exploration of the specter of colonialism that continues the enthralling, otherworldly quality of her 2019 breakthrough film, “Atlantics.”

From Los Angeles Times

As it turns out, Halloween has always been rooted in dueling ideas of the otherworldly.

From Los Angeles Times

But Timur’s live performance added another otherworldly level of exaltation for which neither film nor deafening amplification can enhance.

From Los Angeles Times

The one image has had more than 4,000 likes and scores of complimentary comments, with one person describing it as "otherworldly, like a watercolour painting emerging out from a time labyrinth".

From BBC

Related Words

• ethereal
• extraterrestrial
• heavenly
• magical
• mystical
• supernatural
• uncanny