supernatural

supernatural — adjective

1. relating to events or effects that seem to be caused by powers that science cann

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

relating to events or effects that seem to be caused by powers that science cannot explain — for example, a mysterious light appearing in the sky or a voice coming from an empty room.

Example

Residents reported seeing a supernatural light above the hill at midnight.

collocation: supernatural light / supernatural power

The old house was said to have supernatural powers that could heal sick visitors.

Common collocations
  • supernatural powers
  • supernatural events
  • supernatural force
  • supernatural phenomenon
  • supernatural occurrence
Synonyms
  • paranormal

    narrower — usually refers to ghosts, ESP, or unexplained events people claim to have experienced

  • otherworldly

    suggests a different realm or dimension rather than forces acting on our world

  • mysterious

    broader and weaker — can describe anything puzzling, not necessarily beyond science

Antonyms
  • natural

    the direct opposite — explainable by the laws of science

  • ordinary

    emphasises that something is normal and unremarkable

Grammar Patterns

supernatural + noun (event / force / power / light / occurrence)

Usage Note

Often used before nouns such as 'event', 'force', 'power', and 'phenomenon'. This sense describes things that happen — distinguish from sense 2 (GHOSTS & SPIRITS), which describes the beings or entities themselves.

Common Mistakes

The magician performed a supernatural trick.
The magician performed a trick that looked supernatural.
Stage magic is an illusion, not truly beyond scientific explanation.

2. describing creatures, spirits, or beings that belong to a world beyond the physi

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing creatures, spirits, or beings that belong to a world beyond the physical one that science studies — for example, ghosts, demons, or angels that exist separately from ordinary life.

Example

The film follows a family who move into a house filled with supernatural beings.

collocation: supernatural beings / supernatural creatures

Élise enjoys reading old books about supernatural creatures such as ghosts and vampires.

Common collocations
  • supernatural beings
  • supernatural creatures
  • supernatural entities
  • supernatural world
  • supernatural forces
Synonyms
  • unearthly

    suggests something so strange it seems to come from outside our world entirely

  • ghostly

    more specific — refers to spirits of the dead, not all supernatural beings

  • mythical

    suggests beings from traditional stories, not necessarily believed to actually exist

Antonyms
  • physical

    the opposite of spiritual or ghostly — made of matter that can be studied

  • ordinary

    emphasises that something is normal and belongs to everyday life

Grammar Patterns

supernatural + noun (being / creature / entity / force / world)

Usage Note

This sense describes the beings or entities themselves (not events), so it typically pairs with nouns like 'being', 'creature', 'entity', 'spirit'. Distinguish from sense 1 (BEYOND SCIENCE), which describes events or effects caused by unexplainable forces.

Common Mistakes

There are many supernaturals living in this forest.
There are many supernatural beings living in this forest.
'Supernatural' is not used as a countable noun for individual creatures.

Word family

  • supernaturally
    adverbB2
  • supernaturalism
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Supernatural' is the broadest term, covering anything that cannot be explained by the laws of science — from miracles to ghosts. 'Paranormal' is narrower and focuses on specific claimed experiences (ESP, hauntings, UFOs) that science has not confirmed. 'Otherworldly' suggests a different realm or dimension rather than forces acting on our world; a landscape can look otherworldly without being truly supernatural. 'Mystical' relates to spiritual insight or divine connection and often carries a positive, religious tone — a mystical experience is not necessarily caused by external forces. 'Uncanny' is the weakest: it describes something strange and unsettling but stops short of claiming a cause beyond science. Example: 'The supernatural events in the village were dismissed as folklore, but the old woman's uncanny ability to predict visitors felt harder to explain.'

paranormalotherworldlymystical ↗uncanny

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the supernatural
  • supernatural elements
  • supernatural theme

Etymology

LatinMedieval LatinMiddle FrenchEnglish

'Supernatural' comes from Latin 'super' (meaning 'above' or 'beyond') and 'naturalis' (meaning 'of nature'). The word entered English in the 15th century through Christian writings, where it was used to describe miracles and divine acts that go beyond the natural order God created. Over time its meaning broadened to include ghosts, spirits, and any force that science cannot explain.