preternatural

American  

[pree-ter-nach-er-uhl, -nach-ruhl, pre-] / ˌpri tərˈnætʃ ər əl, -ˈnætʃ rəl, ˌprɛ- /

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.

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preternatural British  

/ ˌpriːtəˈnætʃrəl /

adjective

1. beyond what is ordinarily found in nature; abnormal

2. another word for supernatural

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Related Words

See miraculous.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of preternatural

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

Example Sentences

That commitment wouldn’t be possible if the music didn’t have a preternatural force to speak to current anxieties.

From Los Angeles Times

So too is a work ethic peers often describe as relentless, paired with a preternatural optimism that keeps him pushing through setbacks.

From Los Angeles Times

Donatello delivers himself to justice, no longer the preternatural faun but a man of grave responsibility.

From The Wall Street Journal

That preternatural calm appears to have a biological basis.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to preternatural skill, you need icewater in your veins to do that.

From The Wall Street Journal