Etymologically
Log in

supernatural

Etymology and origin of the English word supernatural

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
probably before 1425
Borrowed from
Latin supernaturalis via Middle English
Ultimate origin
Latin (nāscor)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˌs(j)uː.pəˈnæ.tʃə.ɹəl/, /-tʃɹəl/ (UK); /ˌsu.pəɹˈnæ.tʃə.ɹəl/, /-tʃɹəl/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English supernaturel, borrowed from Medieval Latin supernātūrālis (“above or beyond nature”),[2][3][4] from super- (“above”) and nātūra (“nature”) (see nature), with -ālis.[2][3][5] The Medieval Latin word is thought to have been coined by Thomas Aquinas.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of or given by God, divine, heavenly: the early 15th century in Etymonline,[3] probably before 1425 (supernaturel) in Barnhart, with supernatural about 1443.[2] The OED's first quotation, for above nature, belonging to a higher realm, is from 1526.[6]

Semantic evolution

It was first used of revelation and the like;[3] the idea is being beyond the powers or laws of nature.[3] More than the natural or ordinary, abnormally great, is from 1533.[6] The noun, a supernatural being, is from 1729,[3][6] and the supernatural, what is above the course of nature, from 1830.[3][6] The association with ghosts has predominated since the 19th century, while the older religious sense survives in supernal.[3]

Timeline

  • probably before 1425 – supernaturel.[2]
  • 1526 – above nature.[6]
  • 1533 – extraordinary.[6]
  • 1729 – a supernatural being.[3][6]
  • 1830 – the supernatural.[3][6]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Relating to existence outside the natural world, or to things that natural laws cannot explain.
  2. Relating to ghosts, spirits or occult beings.
  3. Relating to a deity or the direct exercise of divine power; miraculous.
  4. Exceeding the ordinary; abnormal.

Noun

  1. The supernatural: supernatural forces, beings or events.

Word family

  • supernaturally
  • supernaturalness
  • semisupernatural
  • supernaturalism
  • supernaturality
  • supernaturalize
  • unsupernatural
  • nonnatural
  • preternatural
  • supernormal
  • supranatural
  • unnatural
  • natural
  • nature
  • supernal
  • paranormal

Usage notes

The Century Dictionary distinguished what is supernatural, above nature, from the preternatural or extra-natural, outside nature, and the unnatural, contrary to nature.[3]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Supernatural.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/supernatural. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·