metaphysical

1 of 2

adjective

meta·​phys·​i·​cal ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl How to pronounce metaphysical (audio)
1
: of or relating to metaphysics
metaphysical truth
metaphysical speculation
2
a
: of or relating to the transcendent (see transcendent sense 1) or to a reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses
fleeing from experience to a metaphysical realmJohn Dewey
b
: supernatural
fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'dWilliam Shakespeare
3
: highly abstract or abstruse
also : theoretical
metaphysical reasoning
4
often capitalized : of or relating to poetry especially of the early 17th century that is highly intellectual and philosophical and marked by unconventional figurative language
metaphysical poets
metaphysically adverb

Metaphysical

2 of 2

noun

: a metaphysical poet of the 17th century

Examples of metaphysical in a Sentence

Adjective a metaphysical world of spirits a work that deals with such metaphysical questions as the very nature of knowledge
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The lack of mooring for the term coincides with a metaphysical sensibility according to which the human framework will soon be transcended. Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 Visitors will traverse between the installations, embarking on a physical and metaphysical journey through landscapes that are as much a part of the exhibit as the art itself. Shelby Knick, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024 But this also presents a functional and even metaphysical dilemma to someone like me, a working movie critic of four decades who for much of that time has also been a practicing Zen Buddhist. Ty Burr, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 The metaphysical synergy of music and family also courses through the Barretts. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2024 And this abstractness of Mr. Wilson is part of a curiously a priori metaphysical idealism. Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024 Sometimes, when the right metaphysical frequencies align, new kinds of art emerge to answer specific questions that no one had ever thought to ask, like: What if the Mona Lisa smile was rap music? Chris Richards, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024 In order to escape police after a robbery, two estranged siblings lay low in a metaphysical farmhouse that hides them away in a different time. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2024 Through all Thomas’s pages ran a breeze of terror, arising in the metaphysical world; the air was sinister. Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metaphysical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of metaphysical was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near metaphysical

metaphysic

metaphysical

Metaphysical

Cite this Entry

“Metaphysical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaphysical. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

metaphysical

adjective
meta·​phys·​i·​cal ˌmet-ə-ˈfiz-i-kəl How to pronounce metaphysical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or based on metaphysics
2
3
: difficult to understand : abstract
metaphysically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on metaphysical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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