miraculous

[mi-rak-yuh-luhs]

adjective

1. performed by or involving a supernatural power or agency.

   a miraculous cure.

2. of the nature of a miracle; marvelous.

   Synonyms: extraordinary

3. having or seeming to have the power to work miracles.

   miraculous drugs.

miraculous

/ mɪˈrækjʊləs /

adjective

1. of, like, or caused by a miracle; marvellous

2. surprising

3. having the power to work miracles

Other Word Forms

• miraculously adverb
• miraculousness noun
• hypermiraculous adjective
• hypermiraculousness noun
• nonmiraculous adjective
• nonmiraculousness noun
• pseudomiraculous adjective
• quasi-miraculous adjective
• unmiraculous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of miraculous¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin mīrāculōsus, equivalent to Latin mīrācul(um) miracle + -ōsus -ous

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

“It’s miraculous to see how it all comes together,” said Royal Caribbean Group Chief Executive and Chairman Jason Liberty.

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Developed by the Lumière brothers, the miraculous process involved a glass plate dusted with potato-starch granules, microscopic in size, dyed red-orange, green and blue-violet.

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Ribbons of pink and green, yellow and purple and blue swirled in the night sky in a miraculous display.

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All season long, Chicago has pulled off miraculous, last-gasp victories—and Sunday was no different.

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After days of chewing raw nuts and fruit, the meal must have tasted miraculous, but the richest development happens when he encounters the De Lacey family.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• amazing 
• astonishing 
• astounding 
• awesome 
• extraordinary 
• freakish 
• incredible 
• inexplicable 
• magical 
• marvelous 
• monstrous 
• phenomenal 
• spectacular 
• strange 
• superhuman 
• supernatural 
• unbelievable 
• unreal 
• wondrous 

When To Use

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.