supernatural

supernatural — adjective

1. relating to events or effects that seem to be caused by powers that science cann

1.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to events or effects that seem to be caused by powers that science cannot explain — for example, a mysterious light appearing in the sky or a voice coming from an empty room.

例句

Residents reported seeing a supernatural light above the hill at midnight.

collocation: supernatural light / supernatural power

The old house was said to have supernatural powers that could heal sick visitors.

同義詞
  • paranormal

    narrower — usually refers to ghosts, ESP, or unexplained events people claim to have experienced

  • otherworldly

    suggests a different realm or dimension rather than forces acting on our world

  • mysterious

    broader and weaker — can describe anything puzzling, not necessarily beyond science

反義詞
  • natural

    the direct opposite — explainable by the laws of science

  • ordinary

    emphasises that something is normal and unremarkable

文法句型

supernatural + noun (event / force / power / light / occurrence)

用法筆記

Often used before nouns such as 'event', 'force', 'power', and 'phenomenon'. This sense describes things that happen — distinguish from sense 2 (GHOSTS & SPIRITS), which describes the beings or entities themselves.

常見錯誤

❌The magician performed a supernatural trick.
✅The magician performed a trick that looked supernatural.
💡Stage magic is an illusion, not truly beyond scientific explanation.

2. describing creatures, spirits, or beings that belong to a world beyond the physi

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing creatures, spirits, or beings that belong to a world beyond the physical one that science studies — for example, ghosts, demons, or angels that exist separately from ordinary life.

例句

The film follows a family who move into a house filled with supernatural beings.

collocation: supernatural beings / supernatural creatures

Élise enjoys reading old books about supernatural creatures such as ghosts and vampires.

同義詞
  • unearthly

    suggests something so strange it seems to come from outside our world entirely

  • ghostly

    more specific — refers to spirits of the dead, not all supernatural beings

  • mythical

    suggests beings from traditional stories, not necessarily believed to actually exist

反義詞
  • physical

    the opposite of spiritual or ghostly — made of matter that can be studied

  • ordinary

    emphasises that something is normal and belongs to everyday life

文法句型

supernatural + noun (being / creature / entity / force / world)

用法筆記

This sense describes the beings or entities themselves (not events), so it typically pairs with nouns like 'being', 'creature', 'entity', 'spirit'. Distinguish from sense 1 (BEYOND SCIENCE), which describes events or effects caused by unexplainable forces.

常見錯誤

❌There are many supernaturals living in this forest.
✅There are many supernatural beings living in this forest.
💡'Supernatural' is not used as a countable noun for individual creatures.