Preternatural vs. Supernatural – Which is Correct?

While often used interchangeably, preternatural and supernatural describe distinct categories of phenomena. Preternatural refers to events or abilities that exceed the normal course of nature but are not inherently outside it, often implying an unusual human capacity or an extreme natural occurrence. Supernatural, conversely, denotes phenomena that defy the known laws of nature, originating from a realm beyond the physical and scientific understanding, such as magic or spirits.

Preternatural or Supernatural – Which is Correct?

Both preternatural and supernatural are correct and valid English adjectives, but they are not synonyms. The core difference lies in their relationship to the laws of nature. Preternatural describes something that is highly unusual, extraordinary, or abnormal, pushing the boundaries of what is considered natural but remaining within the realm of what could theoretically happen within nature’s extreme limits. It suggests an intensification or exaggeration of natural abilities or events. For example, a person with a preternatural ability to learn languages quickly is still operating within human capacity, albeit at an exceptional level.

In contrast, supernatural refers to phenomena that are entirely outside or beyond the natural order. These events or entities violate the fundamental laws of physics and biology as we understand them, implying a source or explanation that transcends the material world. Ghosts, miracles, magic, and divine interventions are classic examples of the supernatural, as they cannot be explained by natural laws.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, focus on the prefixes: “pre-” and “super-“. Think of “preternatural” as “pre-” (before, beyond the usual) + “natural,” meaning it’s an extreme, rare, or advanced form of natural. It’s still within the bounds of what nature *could* produce, just highly unusual. Imagine a skill that’s “pre-human” in its excellence but still human.

For “supernatural,” think of “super-” (above, beyond, transcending) + “natural.” This implies something that completely surpasses and exists outside of nature’s rules. If something is “super-natural,” it breaks the known laws of the natural world entirely, like Superman flying – a “super” ability that defies gravity.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Preternatural	Adjective	Beyond what is normal or natural, but not outside the realm of possibility within nature; extraordinary, abnormal.	Her preternatural calm in a crisis was truly remarkable.
Supernatural	Adjective, Noun	Attributed to a force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature; involving ghosts, magic, or deities.	The villagers believed the old house was haunted by supernatural entities.

How to Use Preternatural

The word preternatural is primarily used as an adjective to describe something that is exceptionally unusual, abnormal, or beyond the typical scope of natural occurrence, yet still falls within the potential, albeit extreme, capabilities of the natural world. It often implies a sense of awe, uncanny ability, or unsettling strangeness. The tone can range from admiring to slightly eerie, depending on the context.

Example 1: The child displayed a preternatural gift for mathematics, solving complex equations at an unusually young age.

Example 2: A sudden, preternatural stillness fell over the forest just before the storm hit.

Example 3: His preternatural luck seemed to protect him from every danger, always escaping unscathed.

What are the different forms of Preternatural?

As an adjective, preternatural can take comparative and superlative forms, though these are less common due to the word’s strong inherent meaning of extremity.

• Comparative: More preternatural (e.g., “His focus was more preternatural than hers.”)
• Superlative: Most preternatural (e.g., “That was the most preternatural display of agility I’ve ever witnessed.”)

Etymology of the word Preternatural

The word preternatural comes from the Latin praeter naturam, meaning “beyond nature” or “outside of nature’s course.” It entered English in the late 16th century. The prefix praeter- signifies “beyond, past, more than,” indicating something that goes past the normal expectation of what is natural.

How to Use Supernatural

Supernatural is used as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes phenomena, beings, or events that exist or occur outside the known laws of nature and science, often implying a connection to magic, spirits, deities, or the afterlife. As a noun, “the supernatural” refers to the realm or collection of such phenomena. The tone is often one of mystery, fear, or religious significance.

Example 1: Many cultures have ancient legends about powerful supernatural beings.

Example 2: The detective dismissed the idea of a ghost, searching for a logical explanation for the strange, allegedly supernatural occurrences.

Example 3: She claimed to have experienced a direct encounter with the supernatural during her visit to the haunted castle.

What are the different forms of Supernatural?

As an adjective, supernatural can take comparative and superlative forms, though like preternatural, these are less frequently used.

• Comparative: More supernatural (e.g., “The second film was more supernatural than the first.”)
• Superlative: Most supernatural (e.g., “That urban legend is the most supernatural tale in the region.”)

As a noun, the plural form is supernaturals, referring to supernatural beings or events.

Etymology of the word Supernatural

The word supernatural also has Latin roots, deriving from supernaturalis, which means “above nature” or “beyond nature.” It combines the Latin prefix super- (“above, beyond”) with naturalis (“of nature”). It appeared in English around the same time as preternatural, in the late 16th century, and has consistently referred to that which transcends the natural world.

Related Concepts

Understanding a few related linguistic and conceptual ideas can further clarify the distinction between preternatural and supernatural.

• Prefix Meanings: The prefixes “pre-” and “super-” are key. “Pre-” (from Latin prae) often means “before,” “in front of,” or “exceeding.” “Super-” (from Latin super) means “above,” “beyond,” or “in excess.” This linguistic distinction helps reinforce the conceptual difference: one exceeds normal nature, the other exists entirely above or beyond it.
• Degrees of Unusualness: Both words describe something unusual, but they represent different degrees. Think of a spectrum: “normal” is the baseline. “Preternatural” is far along the spectrum of unusualness but still on the “natural” side. “Supernatural” is off the charts, existing on a completely different plane where natural laws no longer apply.

Examples from Media and Literature

• In many superhero stories, characters possess preternatural strength or speed, pushing human limits but not necessarily defying physics entirely.
• H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic horror often delves into the supernatural, introducing entities and realities that are utterly alien and incomprehensible to human understanding.
• The character Sherlock Holmes is often described as having preternatural observational skills, noticing details that others miss with ease.
• Stories involving ghosts, demons, or angels typically fall under the genre of supernatural fiction, as these beings exist outside the natural world.
• In some fantasy novels, a character might develop a preternatural connection to animals, understanding their thoughts and behaviors with uncanny accuracy.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The detective possessed a ________ ability to deduce facts from the smallest clues.
2. The ancient ritual was said to summon ________ forces from another dimension.
3. Despite her young age, the pianist played with a ________ maturity that captivated the audience.
4. Many people believe in ________ phenomena like telekinesis and clairvoyance.
5. The athlete showed ________ endurance, running for hours without apparent fatigue.

Answer Key

1. preternatural
2. supernatural
3. preternatural
4. supernatural
5. preternatural

Preternatural Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Extraordinary	Beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional.
Uncanny	Strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way; beyond what is normal or expected.
Abnormal	Deviating from what is normal or usual, typically in a way that is undesirable or worrying.
Exceptional	Unusually good; outstanding.
Phenomenal	Remarkable or exceptional, especially as a result of a phenomenon.

Supernatural Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Paranormal	Denoting events or phenomena such as telekinesis or clairvoyance that are beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding.
Otherworldly	Relating to an imaginary or spiritual world; ethereal.
Metaphysical	Based on abstract reasoning; transcending physical matter or the laws of nature.
Mystical	Relating to mysticism or religious mystery; having a spiritual meaning or reality that is not apparent to the senses or intellect.
Transcendental	Relating to a spiritual or nonphysical realm; beyond normal or physical human experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “preternatural” be negative or only positive?
“Preternatural” can describe both positive and negative attributes or events. While it often refers to exceptional gifts (like preternatural intelligence), it can also describe something unsettling or eerie (e.g., a preternatural silence before a disaster, or a preternatural stillness in a doll’s eyes).

Question 2: Is “supernatural” always about ghosts or magic?
While ghosts and magic are common associations, “supernatural” encompasses a broader range of phenomena that defy natural laws. This can include divine miracles, prophecies, psychic abilities, curses, blessings, and any other occurrence or entity attributed to forces beyond scientific explanation.

Question 3: What’s the key difference in their scope?
The key difference in scope is that “preternatural” operates within the extreme, unusual, or unexplained limits of the natural world, suggesting an intensification or aberration of natural processes. “Supernatural,” however, implies a complete breach or transcendence of natural laws, originating from a realm that is entirely outside or above the physical universe.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between preternatural and supernatural enriches your vocabulary and allows for more precise communication. While both terms describe phenomena beyond the ordinary, preternatural refers to something exceptionally unusual yet still within nature’s extreme possibilities, often implying an uncanny human ability or an intense natural event. Supernatural, conversely, denotes that which fundamentally defies and exists outside the laws of the natural world. By recognizing the nuances, you can choose the most appropriate word to convey the exact shade of extraordinary you intend. Pro Tip: Using these words with precision demonstrates a sophisticated command of language, enhancing your professional reputation in any field.