preternatural

pre·ter·nat·u·ral

adj
\ˌprē-tər-ˈna-chə-rəl, -ˈnach-rəl\

Definition of PRETERNATURAL

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>

— pre·ter·nat·u·ral·ly \-ˈna-chə-rə-lē, ˈnach-rə-, ˈna-chər-\ adverb

— pre·ter·nat·u·ral·ness \-ˈna-chə-rəl-nəs, -ˈnach-rəl-\ noun

Examples of PRETERNATURAL

1. She has a preternatural ability to charm people.
2. There was a preternatural quiet in the house.

Origin of PRETERNATURAL

Medieval Latin praeternaturalis, from Latin praeter naturam beyond nature

First Known Use: 1580

Related to PRETERNATURAL

Synonyms: aberrant, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, especial, exceeding, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, phenomenal, exceptional, rare, singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted

Antonyms: common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual

Related Words: conspicuous, notable, noticeable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, salient, striking; bizarre, deviant, eccentric, freakish, monstrous, oddball, outlandish, quaint, strange, weird; incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, unimaginable, unthinkable

Near Antonyms: everyday, familiar, frequent

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, weird, wraith

Rhymes with PRETERNATURAL

seminatural, supernatural