supernatural

adjective

su·​per·​nat·​u·​ral ˌsü-pər-ˈna-chə-rəl How to pronounce supernatural (audio)
-ˈnach-rəl
1
: of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe
especially : of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil
2
a
: departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature
b
: attributed to an invisible agent (such as a ghost or spirit)
supernatural noun
supernaturally
ˌsü-pər-ˈna-chər-ə-lē How to pronounce supernatural (audio)
-ˈnach-rə-
-ˈna-chər-lē
adverb
supernaturalness noun

Examples of supernatural in a Sentence

believes in ghosts, guardian angels, and other supernatural beings he seems to read books with supernatural speed
Recent Examples on the Web Saint Maud’s protagonist was a spindly, religious health aide who imagined her body elongating and stretching in gory, supernatural ways. David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 The story blends supernatural horror with a twist reminiscent of The Twilight Zone, following a church organist (Candace Hilligoss) whose cross-country road trip after a fateful car accident is beset with ghostly horror. Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024 The topics cover a wide sweep of Senegalese life, from the story of a 19th-century slave insurrection to a supernatural drama about a woman who can read people’s thoughts. Ayen Deng Bior, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2024 Starring, of course, Johnny Depp, as the detective trying to get to the bottom of a series of gruesome, seemingly supernatural murders in a small 18th century American town. John Archer, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Andrew Haigh’s supernatural drama starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal won film of the year, LGBTQ film of the year and LGBTQ screenplay of the year. Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024 Fussy, temperamental novelist Charles finds himself in a supernatural love triangle when a medium’s séance summons the spirit of his first wife, who begins competing with his new wife for his affections. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 But Take Note The biggest complaint parents have about these pacifiers is their supernatural ability to attract pet hair, dust, and fuzz. Sarah Bradley, Parents, 1 Mar. 2024 An inscrutable and potentially supernatural ultrasound reading will occur. Amanda Hess, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'supernatural.' 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 Medieval Latin supernaturalis, from Latin super- + natura nature

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near supernatural

Cite this Entry

“Supernatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supernatural. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

supernatural

adjective
su·​per·​nat·​u·​ral ˌsü-pər-ˈnach-(ə-)rəl How to pronounce supernatural (audio)
1
: of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe
especially : of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil
2
a
: departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to go beyond the laws of nature
b
: attributed to an invisible agent (as a ghost or spirit)
supernatural noun
supernaturally
-ˈnach-(ə-)rə-lē How to pronounce supernatural (audio)
-ˈnach-ər-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on supernatural

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