miraculous
Americanadjective
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performed by or involving a supernatural power or agency.
a miraculous cure.
-
of the nature of a miracle; marvelous.
- Synonyms:
- extraordinary
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having or seeming to have the power to work miracles.
miraculous drugs.
adjective
-
of, like, or caused by a miracle; marvellous
-
surprising
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having the power to work miracles
Usage
What does miraculous mean? Miraculous is used to describe something done by or involving a supernatural power, as in Rising from the dead is a miraculous feat!This sense of miraculous is frequently limited to religious use. In many faiths, something being miraculous implies an action of a deity. However, some people believe that something can be miraculous due to the forces of nature. Miraculous is also used figuratively to describe something whose working isn’t well understood or whose results are exceptionally wonderful. It appears to work by miracle, that is, an action by a deity. You might hear medicines or cures described as miraculous because they seem to work by miracle or the results are so wonderful, like the results of a miracle would be. Example: The acquisition went through miraculously and everyone got what they wanted.
Synonym Usage
Miraculous, preternatural, supernatural refer to that which seems to transcend the laws of nature. Miraculous refers to something that apparently contravenes known laws governing the universe: a miraculous success. Preternatural suggests the possession of supernormal qualities: Dogs have a preternatural sense of smell. It may also mean supernatural: Elves are preternatural beings. Supernatural suggests divine or superhuman properties: supernatural aid in battle.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of miraculous
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin mīrāculōsus, equivalent to Latin mīrācul(um) miracle + -ōsus -ous
Explanation
A miraculous occurrence can be providential or heaven-sent, or just peculiarly fortunate and appropriate. In any event, as the word suggests, it has the character of a miracle. The adjective miraculous has origins in the Latin word miraculum, meaning "object of wonder." It's often used to describe religious happenings, such as a direct answer to one's prayer. In a more secular context, a "miraculous comeback" is when a football team that's down by 30 points at halftime ends up winning the Super Bowl.
Vocabulary lists containing miraculous
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
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"The Tempest," Vocabulary from Acts 1 and 2
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"Musée des Beaux Arts" by W.H. Auden
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Miraculous moments in the story, such as water welling from a rock where Patrick later baptizes people, play out in a quiet tone.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
Both concerts ended with some drama, with the suite from Bartok’s ballet “The Miraculous Mandarin” and Prokofiev’s Fifth, which incorporates music from his stage works.
From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2024
And while some popular kids shows still pretend the world is 90% male, others like "Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir" and "My Little Pony" put girl characters front and center.
From Salon • Jul. 18, 2023
Before her campaign announcement Saturday in Washington, she will complete teaching a five-week online seminar this week called “The Miraculous Mind: Transform Your Thoughts, Transform the World.”
From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2023
The sisters, members of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal prayer group, soon arrived, and their Igbo songs, accompanied by robust hand clapping, echoed upstairs.
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
