supernal

adjective

su·​per·​nal su̇-ˈpər-nᵊl How to pronounce supernal (audio)
1
a
: being or coming from on high
b
: heavenly, ethereal
supernal melodies
c
: superlatively good
supernal trumpet playing
2
: located in or belonging to the sky
supernally adverb

Examples of supernal in a Sentence

an absolutely supernal performance of the concerto by a 16-year old prodigy a couple enjoying the supernal joys of parenthood for the first time
Recent Examples on the Web Circling guitars and wafting synths are grounded by a resolute rhythm section and sweetened by Neil Halstead’s drowsy lead vocals alongside Rachel Goswell’s supernal harmonies, with the entire mix soaring and falling across the album’s eight melancholy and hopeful songs. Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2023 According to a Sanskrit text that may have been written as early as the first century B.C., the dharma, or the nature of reality, could be taught without sound or language, through perfume, whose nebulousness required supernal focus — the kind necessary to comprehend the universe. New York Times, 10 Sep. 2021 The product is to be called Elixirent, a supernal energy drink. Dwight Garner, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2021 De Havilland was capable as few other actors have ever been of expressing a kind of supernal grace and guilelessness. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2020 But Thomas' supernal ability to craft trauma into narrative doesn't come without cost. Author: Britt Peterson, Anchorage Daily News, 31 July 2019 The idea of watching supernal figures battle it out is both fun and endlessly attractive, because everyone likes a spectacle, and the biggest spectacle of all comes from watching one irresistible alien force slam into another unmovable alien object. Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 20 Nov. 2018 Great versus supernal Almost all buyers will be stepping up to the TPR from something less-good—less precise, less moddable, less solid, less well-built. Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 23 Sep. 2018 The parallel with changing attitudes toward death and the afterlife is provocative: the point of greatest uncertainty suddenly transformed into supernal glory. BostonGlobe.com, 3 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'supernal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French supernel, from Latin supernus, from super over, above — more at over

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of supernal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near supernal

Cite this Entry

“Supernal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supernal. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

supernal

adjective
su·​per·​nal su̇-ˈpərn-ᵊl How to pronounce supernal (audio)
1
a
: being or coming from on high
b
: heavenly sense 3
supernal music
2
: located in or belonging to the sky
supernally adverb
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