Preternatural
/ˌpriːtərˈnætʃərəl/
adjectiveC2
Definition
Preternatural describes something that is very unusual or extraordinary, beyond what normally happens in nature. It is not exactly supernatural (which means beyond nature and often related to magic or spirits), but it is more than natural or normal. People use it to talk about abilities, events, or qualities that seem almost impossible or very rare.
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See It in Action
Beyond normal natural ability or quality
- •She has a preternatural talent for music that surprises everyone.
- •His preternatural calm in danger helped save lives.
- •The animal showed preternatural intelligence compared to others of its kind.
Strange or unusual in a way that is hard to explain with normal science
- •There was a preternatural silence in the forest that made everyone feel uneasy.
- •The painting had a preternatural glow that seemed to change with the light.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "preternatural" like "strange," but much stronger and more serious—something that goes beyond normal experience or nature.
- ✓Picture a person who can do something amazing, like remembering every detail perfectly, which feels like a magic power but is not truly magic.
- ✓It’s the feeling you get when you see something so unusual that you can’t explain it by normal rules.
- ✓Sounds like "pre-turn-NAT-ural" → imagine something that comes just before (pre) what is natural, like a surprise before nature’s usual way.
- ✓Think of stories where a character has unusual powers or events happen that science can’t explain, but they are not ghosts or magic—just very rare and strange.
- ✓NOT like "supernatural" which means caused by spirits or magic; preternatural is more like nature’s secrets or rare gifts.
- ✓NOT like "normal" or "natural," which are everyday and expected.
- ✓NOT like "miracle," which often means a direct action by a divine power; preternatural is more about unusual natural ability or event.
Try Other Words
- •Extraordinary: very unusual or special (Use when the focus is on something impressive or rare, but not necessarily strange)
- •Supernatural: beyond the natural world, often magical or spiritual (Use when the cause is believed to be magic or spirits)
- •Abnormal: not normal or usual (Use when something is strange but without positive or special meaning)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "preter-" (Latin prefix meaning "beyond" or "past") + "natural" (from nature)
- •Etymology: From Latin "praeternaturalis," meaning beyond what is natural or usual
- •Historical development: Used since the 15th century to describe things that are beyond nature but not necessarily supernatural
- •Modern usage: Used mostly in formal or literary language to describe rare, strange, or extraordinary things that seem almost magical but are not supernatural
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you experienced something preternatural—something beyond normal explanation?
•How does the idea of preternatural things challenge our understanding of what is natural or possible?
Fill in the blanks
1.Her preternatural ability to solve problems quickly made her ___ among her classmates.
2.The silence in the old house was so preternatural that it ___ a feeling of fear.
3.Unlike normal talent, preternatural skill seems to ___ from somewhere beyond usual learning.
4.The artist’s work had a preternatural quality, ___ it different from all others.
5.Preternatural calmness in dangerous situations often ___ people’s respect and trust.
6.When something is called preternatural, it usually means it is not ___ explained by science.
7.The preternatural brightness of the star made astronomers ___ about its nature.