preternatural

American  

[pree-ter-nach-er-uhl, -nach-ruhl, pre-] / ˌpri tərˈnætʃ ər əl, -ˈnætʃ rəl, ˌprɛ- /

adjective

1. out of the ordinary course of nature; exceptional or abnormal.

   preternatural powers.

   Synonyms:

   unnatural, extraordinary, unusual

   Antonyms:

   usual, ordinary

2. outside of nature; supernatural.

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preternatural British  

/ ˌpriːtəˈnætʃrəl /

adjective

1. beyond what is ordinarily found in nature; abnormal

2. another word for supernatural

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Related Words

See miraculous.

Other Word Forms

• preternaturalism noun
• preternaturality noun
• preternaturally adverb
• preternaturalness noun
• unpreternatural adjective

Etymology

Origin of preternatural

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin praeternātūrālis, adjective based on Latin phrase praeter nātūram “beyond nature”; preter-, natural

Example Sentences

So too is a work ethic peers often describe as relentless, paired with a preternatural optimism that keeps him pushing through setbacks.

From Los Angeles Times

Donatello delivers himself to justice, no longer the preternatural faun but a man of grave responsibility.

From The Wall Street Journal

That preternatural calm appears to have a biological basis.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to preternatural skill, you need icewater in your veins to do that.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jay, with his bouffant curly hair and preternatural ability to remember the smallest details, became a de facto musical matchmaker.

From Los Angeles Times