What does preternatural mean?
Preternatural is an adjective describing things that seem to lie beyond the ordinary natural world. It can refer to mysterious events, extraordinary abilities, uncanny atmospheres, or phenomena that appear to defy normal laws. The word often appears in literary and dramatic contexts, where it suggests that the boundary between the familiar and the impossible has been crossed. “Preternatural power” and “preternatural phenomena” are established expressions, while the term is also used more loosely for things that are extremely strange or uncanny. Unlike “supernatural,” which may explicitly suggest divine or supernatural agency, “preternatural” can remain deliberately ambiguous, emphasizing the breach of natural expectations without specifying its cause. The word is therefore especially useful when describing something eerie, extraordinary, or resistant to ordinary explanation.
adjectiveExisting beyond what is natural or ordinary; resembling a supernatural force or event. It can describe phenomena that seem extraordinary, mysterious, or contrary to the normal order of things.
- Beyond what is natural or ordinary; supernatural or otherworldly.
- Unusually strange or uncanny, especially in a way that seems to defy ordinary laws or expectations.
"The old house had a preternatural stillness that made even the smallest sound seem significant."
"The lighthouse keeper reported a preternatural glow beyond the reach of the vessel."
"Her preternatural hearing allowed her to detect a disturbance in the empty house."
Preternatural vocabulary occupies the intriguing border between the unexplained and the impossible.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does preternatural come from?
The word combines the Latin prefix praeter, meaning “beyond,” with naturalis, meaning “of or pertaining to nature,” and entered English during the early modern period. Its development reflects the older idea of the “supernatural” as that which lies beyond the natural order. The same Latin foundation appears in natural, nature, and supernatural, all of which relate to what is natural or lies beyond it.
Related word forms
How preternatural is actually used
Usually literary and somewhat dramatic. It is more formal and evocative than “unnatural,” and it often conveys mystery rather than mere abnormality.
Easily confused with preternatural
“Preternatural” suggests something beyond the natural order that may still be mysterious rather than explicitly divine, while “supernatural” more directly refers to forces or beings outside the natural world.
“Unnatural” can mean artificial, abnormal, or contrary to ordinary behavior, whereas “preternatural” emphasizes an extraordinary or otherworldly quality.