miraculous
Americanadjective
-
performed by or involving a supernatural power or agency.
a miraculous cure.
-
of the nature of a miracle; marvelous.
- Synonyms:
- extraordinary
-
having or seeming to have the power to work miracles.
miraculous drugs.
adjective
-
of, like, or caused by a miracle; marvellous
-
surprising
-
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.
Related Words
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
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.
In most countries, investors today have the miraculous privilege of being able to compound their wealth over long periods without facing the apocalyptic forces that have wreaked havoc throughout history.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
From the village of Malham we hiked to Malham Cove, which rose in near miraculous silver splendor among the sylvan greenery, and then ascended the nearly 500 steps to its top.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
How these folk are still standing up straight is a miraculous thing.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
Both the car repairs and storage shed were expensive, and they needed a miraculous financial windfall to afford it.
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026
He brought it over to show me its features—its snap pockets, its map pouch, its general miraculous ability to hold contents.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
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.
