metaphysical

1 of 2

adjective

meta·​phys·​i·​cal ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl 

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 realm

—John Dewey

b

: supernatural

fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crown'd

—William 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

ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Metaphysical

2 of 2

noun

: a metaphysical poet of the 17th century

Synonyms

Adjective

• abstract
• conceptual
• ideal
• ideational
• notional
• theoretical
• theoretic

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

With age, Sean has begun to warm to his mother’s metaphysical approach to life — and beyond. —Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024

Perhaps that’s why Sedona attracts such a strong enclave of New Age spiritual devotees searching for metaphysical energy in the vortexes allegedly sprinkled throughout its buttes and spires. —Erin Strout, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

His fascination was with light, optics and the metaphysical, his layered geometric forms made with almost scientific precision. —Nargess Banks, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

All Knull needs to free himself is the Codex, a metaphysical key created through perfect symbiosis, which Venom and Eddie have achieved. —Richard Newby, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1887, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

metaphysical

adjective

meta·​phys·​i·​cal ˌmet-ə-ˈfiz-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or based on metaphysics

2

: supernatural sense 1

3

: difficult to understand : abstract

metaphysically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb