1 supernatural | Definition of supernatural

supernatural

adjective
su·​per·​nat·​u·​ral | \ ˌsü-pər-ˈna-chə-rəl How to pronounce supernatural (audio) , -ˈnach-rəl\

Definition of supernatural

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
2a : 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)

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Other Words from supernatural

supernatural noun
supernaturally \ ˌsü-​pər-​ˈna-​chər-​ə-​lē How to pronounce supernaturally (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

Su Wei, translation by Austin Woerner A novel about young man’s life in a Mao’s work camp and love stories, coupled with the supernatural. Amanda Shendruk, Quartzy, "Here’s what every Chinese book recently translated for the US is about," 27 July 2019 As trailers have indicated, Will finally seems to avoid the attention of the supernatural (at least initially) as the Upside Down powers-that-be ponder grander ambitions. Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, "Stranger Things without Spoiler Things: It’s dark, different, and still delightful," 1 July 2019 Indie supernatural thrillers are rarely as thematically and narratively ambitious as Robi Michael's feature debut. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Every Time I Die': Film Review," 8 Aug. 2019 The Curse of La Llorona R A social worker, Anna, is drawn to a case that has an eerie supernatural connection to her own family. Guy Hanford, Ramona Sentinel, "Flickers: ‘Brian Banks’ and ‘The Kitchen’ open Friday," 8 Aug. 2019 Early photographers developed a practice of splicing images together, allowing them to meddle with temporality and dissolve the boundaries between the natural and supernatural – a theme that the Surrealists would explore. 1843, "Stick ‘em up! A surprising history of collage," 24 July 2019 In so many of these kids-save-the-day stories, kids are not simply fighting supernatural beasts or ghoulish villains but the mess created and then passed down by adults and institutions. Maya Phillips, The New Yorker, "The New Season of “Stranger Things” Shows the Limits of Kids Saving the World," 9 July 2019 The devilishly frightening film helped popularize supernatural thrillers and showed that horror could be popular and acclaimed. Frank Pallotta, CNN, "The 10 highest-grossing movies of all time may surprise you," 2 July 2019 Just as Ives has constructed a postmodern playhouse to deflate the notion of authenticity, Awad has winkingly deployed the great ruse of the supernatural. Hermione Hoby, The New Yorker, "What Does It Mean to Be a “Real” Writer?," 3 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'supernatural.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of supernatural

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for supernatural

Middle English, from Medieval Latin supernaturalis, from Latin super- + natura nature

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More Definitions for supernatural

supernatural

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of supernatural

: unable to be explained by science or the laws of nature : of, relating to, or seeming to come from magic, a god, etc.

supernatural

adjective
su·​per·​nat·​u·​ral | \ ˌsü-pər-ˈna-chə-rəl How to pronounce supernatural (audio) , -ˈnach-rəl\

Kids Definition of supernatural

: of or relating to something beyond or outside of nature or the visible universe

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