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

If that doesn’t qualify as miraculous, nothing does.

Read more on MarketWatch

Given the resultant uncertainty, it is no surprise investors have shunned healthcare stocks, notwithstanding miraculous medical advances and the ever-growing demand for care.

Read more on Barron's

She said it was "miraculous" that nobody was injured in the incident, which came during an Amber weather alert in north of Scotland.

Read more on BBC

“This is a miraculous thing,” said retired MMA fighter Tait Fletcher, who credits the treatment with freeing him from suicidal ideation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Today, he is among those who do not see the war as a miraculous chance to transform the country.

Read more on BBC

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.