preternatural

adjective

pre·​ter·​nat·​u·​ral ˌprē-tər-ˈna-chə-rəl How to pronounce preternatural (audio)
-ˈnach-rəl,
pre-
1
: existing outside of nature
2
: exceeding what is natural or regular : extraordinary
wits trained to preternatural acuteness by the debates G. L. Dickinson
3
: inexplicable by ordinary means
especially : psychic
preternatural phenomena
preternaturally adverb

Did you know?

Preternatural derives from the Latin phrase praeter naturam, which means "beyond nature." Medieval Latin scholars rendered the term as praeternaturalis, and that form inspired the modern English version. Unusual things are sometimes considered positive and sometimes negative, and throughout its history preternatural has been used to refer to both exceptionally good things and unnaturally evil ones. In its earliest documented uses in the 1500s, it tended to emphasize the strange, ominous, or foreboding, but by the 1700s, people were using it more benignly to refer to fascinating supernatural (or even heavenly) phenomena. Nowadays, people regularly use it to describe the remarkable abilities of exceptional humans.

Examples of preternatural in a Sentence

She has a preternatural ability to charm people. There was a preternatural quiet in the house.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Opposing teams covet and curse his defensive instincts and preternatural touch as a passer. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 Daniels and his preternatural abilities have taken it from there. David Aldridge, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 Billy Strings There seems to be no stopping this bluegrass wonder, whose preternatural picking has landed him another trio of shows at Ball Arena. John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2025 Her preternatural talent earned her comparisons to her hero, Judy Garland, whose mature vocal stylings had also brought fame at a young age. Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for preternatural

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin praeternaturalis, from Latin praeter naturam beyond nature

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preternatural was in 1580

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Cite this Entry

“Preternatural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preternatural. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

preternatural

adjective
: beyond what is natural : unable to be explained by ordinary means
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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