preternatural

adjective

pre·​ter·​nat·​u·​ral ˌprē-tər-ˈna-chə-rəl 

-ˈnach-rəl,

pre-

1

: existing outside of nature

2

: exceeding what is natural or regular : extraordinary

wits trained to preternatural acuteness by the debates

—G. L. Dickinson

3

: inexplicable by ordinary means

especially : psychic

preternatural phenomena

preternaturally

ˌprē-tər-ˈna-chə-rə-lē 

-ˈnach-rə-

-ˈna-chər-

pre-

adverb

preternaturalness

ˌprē-tər-ˈna-chə-rəl-nəs 

-ˈnach-rəl-

pre-

noun

Did you know?

Preternatural derives from the Latin phrase praeter naturam, which means "beyond nature." Medieval Latin scholars rendered the term as praeternaturalis, and that form inspired the modern English version. Unusual things are sometimes considered positive and sometimes negative, and throughout its history preternatural has been used to refer to both exceptionally good things and unnaturally evil ones. In its earliest documented uses in the 1500s, it tended to emphasize the strange, ominous, or foreboding, but by the 1700s, people were using it more benignly to refer to fascinating supernatural (or even heavenly) phenomena. Nowadays, people regularly use it to describe the remarkable abilities of exceptional humans.

Synonyms

• extraordinary
• unusual
• exceptional
• unique
• abnormal
• rare
• uncommon
• odd

Examples of preternatural in a Sentence

She has a preternatural ability to charm people.

There was a preternatural quiet in the house.

Recent Examples on the Web

With a five-octave vocal range, preternatural charm and a razor-sharp wit, Buckley’s extraordinary live performances at downtown clubs became the stuff of legend. —Tony Gervino, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025

Already evident is a preternatural calmness on the ball, a characteristic of Ajax academy defenders, and allied with his passing range and physical traits, Hato looks like one of the most talented young centre-backs in Europe. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 July 2025

Netanyahu exudes preternatural confidence in his powers of manipulation. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025

She was fascinated by Akasha’s preternatural confidence, his wealth, and his wide-eyed appetite for adventure. —Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin praeternaturalis, from Latin praeter naturam beyond nature

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for preternatural

• supernatural
• natural
• unnatural

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Kids Definition

preternatural

adjective

pre·​ter·​nat·​u·​ral ˌprēt-ər-ˈnach(-ə)-rəl 

: beyond what is natural : unable to be explained by ordinary means

preternaturally

-ˈnach(-ə)-rə-lē 

-ˈnach-ər-lē

adverb