supernaturality: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowFormal, academic, literary
Quick answer
What does “supernaturality” mean?
The state or quality of being supernatural.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or quality of being supernatural; the condition of existing outside or beyond the known laws of nature.
The realm or collective phenomena associated with supernatural forces, beings, or events; often used in philosophical or theological discourse to denote the metaphysical dimension beyond the observable universe.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or form. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries a formal, scholarly, or archaic tone in both dialects. May be perceived as somewhat pretentious in casual use.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage in both BrE and AmE. More likely found in older theological or literary texts.
Grammar
How to Use “supernaturality” in a Sentence
the supernaturality of [noun phrase]supernaturality inherent in [noun phrase]debates concerning supernaturalityVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in disciplines like philosophy of religion, theology, and literary criticism to discuss metaphysical concepts.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be used in casual conversation.
Technical
May appear in specialized discourse within parapsychology or occult studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “supernaturality”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “supernaturality”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “supernaturality”
- Using 'supernaturality' as a countable noun (e.g., 'a supernaturality'). It is typically uncountable.
- Misspelling as 'supernaturally' (which is an adverb).
- Overusing this rare term where 'the supernatural' or 'supernatural phenomena' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare and formal word. The adjective 'supernatural' or the phrase 'the supernatural' are far more common.
'Supernaturality' refers to the state or quality of being supernatural. 'Supernaturalism' is more specific, often referring to the belief in or study of supernatural forces, or an artistic style emphasising the supernatural.
It would sound very unusual and overly formal. In everyday contexts, people say 'supernatural stuff', 'supernatural things', or simply use the adjective 'supernatural'.
In American English, it is typically pronounced as /ˌsuːpərˌnætʃəˈræləti/, with the primary stress on 'ral' and secondary stress on 'su'.
The state or quality of being supernatural.
Supernaturality is usually formal, academic, literary in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SUPER' (above) + 'NATURAL' (nature) + 'ITY' (a state of being). It's the 'state of being above nature'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPERNATURALITY IS A REALM/DIMENSION (e.g., 'venture into the realm of supernaturality').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'supernaturality' most appropriately used?