supernal

American  

[soo-pur-nl] / sʊˈpɜr nl /

adjective

1. being in or belonging to the heaven of divine beings; heavenly, celestial, or divine.

2. lofty; of more than earthly or human excellence, powers, etc.

3. being on high or in the sky or visible heavens.

---

supernal British  

/ suːˈpɜːnəl, sjuː- /

adjective

1. of or from the world of the divine; celestial

2. of or emanating from above or from the sky

---

Other Word Forms

• supernally adverb

Etymology

Origin of supernal

1475–85; < Middle French < Latin supern ( us ) upper + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

Something that's heavenly or otherworldly is supernal. A supernal understanding of life, for example, would be a deeper, spiritual, or religious awareness. Things with a spiritual emphasis can be described as supernal, particularly in books and religious literature. A religious Christian might find supernal wisdom in the Bible, while supernal revelations might come to a Hindu during prayer in a temple. Supernal can also mean simply "exceptional:" "The supernal poets are the ones who put words to feelings." The Latin root is supernus, "situated above."

Example Sentences

Well, the con man supernal, the dethroned king of downtown, the toppled ruler of Albany, has reclaimed his luck and has won again.

From Washington Times • May 5, 2021

It is his supernal voice that disarms listeners, that sends a tingle down the spine, but more than anything else his music is defined by its unwillingness to be categorised.

From The Guardian • Feb. 29, 2020

That opening space sequence functions as supernal ballet, with various vessels spinning, rotating along unfamiliar axes, pirouetting in a post-atmospheric dance of grace against a backdrop of penumbras.

From Slate • Aug. 6, 2018

Indeed, the pictures are of such supernal excellence that Sendak’s publisher released the title on both its children’s and adult lists.

From Washington Post • Sep. 21, 2017

It can be cramped and enfeebled in expression, rendered tormenting in its passage and futile to the recipient, but to whom it comes its supernal quality rises forever beyond all attainder.

From A Woman of Genius by Austin, Mary Hunter