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

The general thrust of the changes were to de-melodramatize Salieri’s action and to focus more attention on his guilt and metaphysical torment. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

But, after Hume, liberals came increasingly to find even the barest invocation of metaphysical principles to be an embarrassment. —Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026

Under this clash of Venus and Uranus, a blind spot could impact your literal plans or more metaphysical beliefs. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026

Breaking down such a layered metaphysical concept with the relatively few words left in this review would be a fool’s errand, but suffice it to say that all of the math miraculously checks out. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 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