definitions

metaphysical

[ met-uh-fiz-i-kuh l ]
/ ˌmɛt əˈfɪz ɪ kəl /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR metaphysical ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

pertaining to or of the nature of metaphysics.
Philosophy.
  1. concerned with abstract thought or subjects, as existence, causality, or truth.
  2. concerned with first principles and ultimate grounds, as being, time, or substance.
highly abstract, subtle, or abstruse.
designating or pertaining to the poetry of an early group of 17th-century English poets, notably John Donne, whose characteristic style is highly intellectual and philosophical and features intensive use of ingenious conceits and turns of wit.
Archaic. imaginary or fanciful.

RELATED CONTENT

Become A (Dungeon) Master Of These D&D Slang TermsFor the over 50 years that D&D has been around, a lot of jargon has developed around the game. Whether you're a total n00b or a Dungeon Master, knowing the lingo of D&D is a key part (of the fun) of its gameplay.
READ MORE
Become A (Dungeon) Master Of These D&D Slang TermsFor the over 50 years that D&D has been around, a lot of jargon has developed around the game. Whether you're a total n00b or a Dungeon Master, knowing the lingo of D&D is a key part (of the fun) of its gameplay.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

mystical, spiritual, abstract, esoteric, philosophical, supernatural, abstruse, theoretical, deep, difficult, eternal, fundamental, high-flown, ideal, immaterial, impalpable, incorporeal, insubstantial, intangible, intellectual

Nearby words

metaphrast, metaphys., metaphysial dysostosis, metaphysial dysplasia, metaphysic, metaphysical, metaphysician, metaphysicize, metaphysics, metaphysis, metaphyte

Origin of metaphysical

1375–1425; late Middle English metaphisicalle < Medieval Latin metaphysicālis. See metaphysic, -al1

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for metaphysical

British Dictionary definitions for metaphysical (1 of 2)

metaphysical

/ (ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪkəl) /

adjective

relating to or concerned with metaphysics
(of a statement or theory) having the form of an empirical hypothesis, but in fact immune from empirical testing and therefore (in the view of the logical positivists) literally meaningless
(popularly) abstract, abstruse, or unduly theoretical
incorporeal; supernatural

Derived Forms

metaphysically, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for metaphysical (2 of 2)

Metaphysical

/ (ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪkəl) /

adjective

denoting or relating to certain 17th-century poets who combined intense feeling with ingenious thought and often used elaborate imagery and conceits. Notable among them were Donne, Herbert, and Marvell

noun

a poet of this group
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012