supernatural

[ soo-per-nach-er-uhl, -nach-ruhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or being above or beyond what is natural; unexplainable by natural law or phenomena; abnormal.
2. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or attributed to God or a deity.
3. of a superlative degree; preternatural:

   a missile of supernatural speed.

4. of, relating to, or attributed to ghosts, goblins, or other unearthly beings; eerie; occult.

noun

1. a being, place, object, occurrence, etc., considered as supernatural or of supernatural origin; that which is supernatural, or outside the natural order.
2. behavior supposedly caused by the intervention of supernatural beings.
3. direct influence or action of a deity on earthly affairs.
4. the supernatural,
   1. supernatural beings, behavior, and occurrences collectively.
   2. supernatural forces and the supernatural plane of existence:

      a deep fear of the supernatural.

supernatural

/ -ˈnætʃərəl; ˌsuːpəˈnætʃrəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to things that cannot be explained according to natural laws
2. characteristic of or caused by or as if by a god; miraculous
3. of, involving, or ascribed to occult beings
4. exceeding the ordinary; abnormal

noun

1. the supernatural
   supernatural forces, occurrences, and beings collectively or their realm

Derived Forms

• ˌsuperˈnaturally, adverb
• ˌsuperˈnaturalness, noun

Other Words From

• super·natu·ral·ly adverb
• super·natu·ral·ness noun
• anti·super·natur·al adjective noun
• semi·super·natu·ral adjective
• semi·super·natu·ral·ly adverb
• semi·super·natu·ral·ness noun
• unsu·per·natu·ral adjective
• unsu·per·natu·ral·ly adverb
• unsu·per·natu·ral·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of supernatural¹

From the Medieval Latin word supernātūrālis, dating back to 1520–30. See super-, natural

Synonym Study

See miraculous.

Example Sentences

Dr Bray is one of four deliverance ministers in Cardiff who are called upon to investigate reports of paranormal and supernatural activity on behalf of the Church in Wales.

From BBC

Pounds said he hopes the song “eclipses the negative echoes” and that “supernatural positive healing power will embrace each and every one of you.”

From Los Angeles Times

The BBC has seen evidence of Pentecostal pastors in Nigeria holding services targeting alleged witches, a practice Dr Igwe says is not unusual in a country where many people believe in the supernatural.

From BBC

Of all classic cartoon characters, the most involved with the supernatural and the surreal was Fleischer Studios’ Betty Boop, whose jazzy adventures with spooks and demons can be easily found on YouTube.

From Los Angeles Times

Their dynamic doesn’t necessarily deploy formal witchcraft, but the supernatural and unconventional bonds that tie them together allow them to resolve plots in ways that highlight the strength of their collective weirdness.

From Salon

Related Words

• celestial
• fairy
• ghostly
• heavenly
• metaphysical
• miraculous
• mythical
• psychic
• superhuman
• uncanny