Supernatural
/ˌsuːpərˈnætʃərəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsAttributable to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature; miraculous.
/ˌsuːpərˈnætʃərəl/
Beyond the laws of nature
The movie explores the supernatural powers of the protagonist.
💡 Simply: Imagine a world where things happen that science can't explain, like ghosts or magic. That's the world of the supernatural. If your toy magically moves on its own, that's a bit supernatural!
👶 For kids: Like magic! It's something that doesn't follow the rules of the real world, like ghosts or wizards.
More Examples
Many cultures have myths and legends about supernatural beings.
She claims to have experienced a supernatural phenomenon during the seance.
How It's Used
"The novel features supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves."
"Researchers investigate claims of supernatural occurrences in haunted houses."
Events or phenomena that are beyond the laws of nature; the realm of things that cannot be explained by science.
/ˌsuːpərˈnætʃərəl/
Events or beings beyond natural law
The book examines the role of the supernatural in ancient cultures.
💡 Simply: It's the world of magic, ghosts, and anything that breaks the rules of everyday life. The supernatural is full of things we can't fully understand or explain.
👶 For kids: The special world of magic, ghosts, and other things that we can't explain using science!
More Examples
The villagers were afraid of the supernatural presence in the woods.
Stories about the supernatural often captivate audiences.
How It's Used
"Belief in the supernatural is a cornerstone of many religions."
"The popularity of shows about the supernatural continues to grow."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
beyond the supernatural
Impossible to understand, explain, or believe; incredibly weird or inexplicable.
"The events were so bizarre they went beyond the supernatural. It was like a bad dream."
From Late Latin *supernaturalis* 'above nature,' from *super* 'above' + *naturalis* 'natural'. The term gained popularity in the 17th century with the rise of scientific inquiry and the exploration of phenomena beyond the realm of scientific understanding.
The word 'supernatural' began appearing with greater frequency in the 17th century as a result of philosophical shifts and the exploration of the world, marking a distinction between the natural and the otherworldly.
Memory tip
Think of 'super' as above and 'natural' as what's normal. Supernatural is anything beyond what's normal.
Word Origin
"From *super* (above, over) + *naturalis* (natural)"