metaphysical

1 of 2

adjective

meta·​phys·​i·​cal ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl How to pronounce metaphysical (audio)
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 realmJohn Dewey
b
: supernatural
fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'dWilliam Shakespeare
3
: highly abstract or abstruse
also : theoretical
metaphysical reasoning
4
often capitalized : 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 adverb

Metaphysical

2 of 2

noun

: a metaphysical poet of the 17th century

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
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Adjective
With age, Sean has begun to warm to his mother’s metaphysical approach to life — and beyond. Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024 Perhaps that’s why Sedona attracts such a strong enclave of New Age spiritual devotees searching for metaphysical energy in the vortexes allegedly sprinkled throughout its buttes and spires. Erin Strout, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024 His fascination was with light, optics and the metaphysical, his layered geometric forms made with almost scientific precision. Nargess Banks, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 All Knull needs to free himself is the Codex, a metaphysical key created through perfect symbiosis, which Venom and Eddie have achieved. Richard Newby, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for metaphysical 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near metaphysical

metaphysic

metaphysical

Metaphysical

Cite this Entry

“Metaphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphysical. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

metaphysical

adjective
meta·​phys·​i·​cal ˌmet-ə-ˈfiz-i-kəl How to pronounce metaphysical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or based on metaphysics
2
3
: difficult to understand : abstract
metaphysically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on metaphysical

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