metaphysical

[ met-uh-fiz-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of metaphysics.
2. Philosophy.
   1. concerned with abstract thought or subjects, as existence, causality, or truth.
   2. concerned with first principles and ultimate grounds, as being, time, or substance.
3. highly abstract, subtle, or abstruse.
4. designating or pertaining to the poetry of an early group of 17th-century English poets, notably John Donne, whose characteristic style is highly intellectual and philosophical and features intensive use of ingenious conceits and turns of wit.
5. Archaic. imaginary or fanciful.

Metaphysical

¹

/ ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪkəl /

adjective

1. denoting or relating to certain 17th-century poets who combined intense feeling with ingenious thought and often used elaborate imagery and conceits. Notable among them were Donne, Herbert, and Marvell

noun

1. a poet of this group

metaphysical

²

/ ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪkəl /

adjective

1. relating to or concerned with metaphysics
2. (of a statement or theory) having the form of an empirical hypothesis, but in fact immune from empirical testing and therefore (in the view of the logical positivists) literally meaningless
3. (popularly) abstract, abstruse, or unduly theoretical
4. incorporeal; supernatural

Derived Forms

• ˌmetaˈphysically, adverb

Other Words From

• meta·physi·cal·ly adverb
• anti·meta·physi·cal adjective
• anti·meta·physi·cal·ly adverb
• hyper·meta·physi·cal adjective
• nonmet·a·physi·cal adjective
• nonmet·a·physi·cal·ly adverb
• quasi-meta·physi·cal adjective
• quasi-meta·physi·cal·ly adverb
• unmet·a·physi·cal adjective
• unmet·a·physi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of metaphysical¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English metaphisicalle, from Medieval Latin metaphysicālis; equivalent to metaphysic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

It’s a sly note of social observation from Beckett on how inhumanity is transmitted in a play that is focused on our mutual dependence in a world without metaphysical foundation or solace.

From Los Angeles Times

Once “Great Gold Bird” sets up its heartbreak premise, it starts to spiral out, touching on metaphysical topics that have us questioning our own reality.

From Los Angeles Times

There is no rationale for that ending, yet there is a metaphysical reason.

From Salon

Ontology, or the metaphysical consideration of being, was always at the core of Foreman’s theatrical explorations.

From Los Angeles Times

Johannes’ overseer is no fan of “metaphysical rubbish,” which is where the young man’s energies are directed, particularly toward the universal wave function that suggests the existence of multiple realities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abstract
• abstruse
• esoteric
• mystical
• philosophical
• spiritual
• supernatural
• theoretical