metaphysical

1 of 2

adjective

meta·​phys·​i·​cal ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl 

1

: of or relating to metaphysics

metaphysical truth

metaphysical speculation

2

a

: of or relating to the transcendent (see transcendent sense 1) or to a reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses

… fleeing from experience to a metaphysical realm …

—John Dewey

b

: supernatural

… fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'd …

—William Shakespeare

3

: highly abstract or abstruse

also : theoretical

metaphysical reasoning

4

often Metaphysical : of or relating to poetry especially of the early 17th century that is highly intellectual and philosophical and marked by unconventional figurative language

metaphysical poets

metaphysically

ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Metaphysical

2 of 2

noun

: a metaphysical poet of the 17th century

Synonyms of metaphysical

Adjective

• theoretical
• abstract
• conceptual
• mental

Examples of metaphysical in a Sentence

Adjective

a metaphysical world of spirits

a work that deals with such metaphysical questions as the very nature of knowledge

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Dürrenmatt is more focused on moral than metaphysical questions. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

More recently, Reid was a series regular on Prime Video’s metaphysical Western drama Outer Range opposite Josh Brolin and Imogen Poots. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026

Is Ancestors, the directorial feature debut of The Lodgers and The Winter Lake writer David Turpin, a love story, a noir mystery or a metaphysical fable? — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

For decades, metaphysical stores and botanicas have sold religious items and offered spiritual cleansings and readings in spite of stigmatization and gentrification. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metaphysical

• astrophysical
• biophysical
• geophysical
• psychophysical
• thermophysical
• nonphysical
• physical
• quizzical

Kids Definition

metaphysical

adjective

meta·​phys·​i·​cal ˌmet-ə-ˈfiz-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or based on metaphysics

2

: supernatural sense 1

3

: difficult to understand : abstract

metaphysically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb