extramundane

American  

[ek-struh-muhn-deyn, -muhn-deyn] / ˌɛk strə mʌnˈdeɪn, -ˈmʌn deɪn /

adjective

1. beyond our world or the material universe.

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extramundane British  

/ ˌɛkstrəˈmʌndeɪn /

adjective

1. not of the physical world or universe

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Etymology

Origin of extramundane

First recorded in 1655–65, from Late Latin extrāmundānus “beyond the world”; see extra-, mundane

Explanation

Anything extramundane exists beyond the everyday, physical world. Fairies, ghosts, miracles, and ESP are all extramundane. Despite what it sounds like, extramundane isn't a way to describe something that's super boring! The word's Latin roots are extra, "outside," and mundus, "world," so it's perfect for talking about otherworldly phenomena. Over half of the people in Iceland, for example, believe in the existence of extramundane "hidden people" who are said to live parallel lives, unseen by humans. Things that can't be explained or documented within the material world are extramundane.

Example Sentences

Jaime Maussan, Mexico’s leading chronicler of UFO sightings and other supernatural events allowed that southern Tamaulipas was a hotbed of extramundane activity, but said he and his team of researchers were previously unaware of Amupac.

From The Guardian • Jul. 17, 2020

He said his goal was to find extramundane metaphors to depict the emotional roller coaster involved in 21st century dating.

From Reuters • Jan. 14, 2015

For lack of precise facts, some guessers have placed life, with meteors, sunshine, starshine and cosmic rays, as an extramundane intrusion.

From Time Magazine Archive

If any one chooses to assume that it was created by an extramundane power, Haeckel says he will not object.

From What is Darwinism? by Hodge, Charles

The Evangelical party has remained down to the present day non-political, and in its own estimation extramundane, taking part in the affairs of the nation only when some religious object was directly in view.

From Cowper by Smith, Goldwin