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

Beverly, a waitress who had another daughter and then a son in the two years after Smith was born (and eventually one more daughter), had little time for her eldest’s metaphysical ponderings. —Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025

The film follows a young couple (Qualley and Starkey), who inherit a farm in rural Arkansas and must conquer the demons, both physical and metaphysical, that haunt its legacy. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025

That metaphysical connection soon snowballs into a mounting existential threat when Mia (Sophie Wilde) allows her best friend's eager little brother to have one round with the hand, after which his body is never the same. —Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025

Protectionism assumed a metaphysical significance for Canadians concerned about losing their identity and autonomy. —Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025

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