English Explanatory Dictionary

supernatural

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Above nature; beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that with which humans are born.
  2. Not of the usual; not natural; altered by forces that are not understood fully, if at all.
noun
  1. A supernatural being
  2. Supernatural beings and events collectively (when used with definite article: "the supernatural")

Pronunciation

/ˌs(j)uː.pəˈnæ.tʃə.ɹəl/ /-tʃɹəl/ /ˌsu.pəɹˈnæ.tʃə.ɹəl/ /ˌs(j)ʉː.pəˈnɛ.tʃɹəl/ En-us-supernatural.ogg

Word forms

supernatural more supernatural most supernatural supernaturals

Etymology

From Middle English supernatural, supernaturel, from Middle French supernaturel, from Latin supernātūrālis, from super (“above”) + nātūra (“nature; that which we are born with”), from nātus (“born”), perfect passive participle of nāscī (“to be born”) + adjective suffix -ālis. By surface analysis, super- + natural.

Synonyms

supranatural

Antonyms

ordinary normal typical

Related words

extranatural metanatural nonnatural paranatural preternatural supernormal supranatural unnatural parapsychological

Derived words

nonsupernatural semisupernatural supernaturalism supernaturalist supernaturalistic supernaturality supernaturalize supernaturally supernaturalness supernatural selection super-supernatural unsupernatural
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