Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day — "Preternatural"
Episode Date: October 1, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski (Merriam-Webster)
Overview
This episode of Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day" podcast dives into the word preternatural—an adjective describing something very unusual or beyond the realm of what seems natural. The episode explores the word's usage, etymology, history, and how its connotations have shifted over time.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Definition and Pronunciation
- Word: Preternatural
- Spelling: P R E T E R N A T U R A L
- Part of Speech: Adjective
- Definition: Very unusual in a way that does not seem natural; inexplicable by normal means.
- “[Preternatural] is a formal word used to describe things that are very unusual in a way that does not seem natural.” (00:27)
Usage in Context
- The word is illustrated with a sentence from The Guardian:
- "Beyond his physical and mental attributes, Jaden Daniels has a preternatural calm in the most pivotal moments of a drive, a game, and a season that makes you wonder if he's somehow been in the NFL for 10 years." (00:42)
- Insight: This highlights how "preternatural" can be used to describe extraordinary human qualities, not just supernatural phenomena.
Etymology and Historical Background
- Origin: From the Latin phrase praeter naturam—"beyond nature."
- “Medieval Latin scholars rendered this as praeter naturalis, and that form inspired the modern English word.” (00:50)
- Historical Use:
- In the late 1500s, the word often referred to strange, alarming, or abnormal phenomena—anything that seemed to defy nature, such as acts of God or signs of illness.
- “In its earliest documented uses in the late 1500s, preternatural was applied to strange, ominous, or abnormal phenomena, from works of God to signs of illness and disease.” (01:01)
- In the late 1500s, the word often referred to strange, alarming, or abnormal phenomena—anything that seemed to defy nature, such as acts of God or signs of illness.
- Modern Usage Shift:
- By the 1800s, “preternatural” evolved to describe impressive and remarkable human abilities.
- “But by the 1800s, things were looking up for preternatural, with the word describing remarkable abilities of exceptional humans, as it most often does today.” (01:15)
- By the 1800s, “preternatural” evolved to describe impressive and remarkable human abilities.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Definition:
- “Preternatural is an adjective. It's a formal word used to describe things that are very unusual in a way that does not seem natural.” — Peter Sokolowski (00:27)
- On Etymology:
- “Preternatural comes from the Latin phrase praeter naturam, meaning beyond nature...that form inspired the modern English word.” — Peter Sokolowski (00:50)
- On Semantic Shift:
- “By the 1800s, things were looking up for preternatural…as it most often does today.” — Peter Sokolowski (01:15)
Important Timestamps
- 00:27 — Introduction and spelling of “preternatural”
- 00:42 — Usage example from The Guardian
- 00:50 — Etymological background
- 01:01 — Early applications and meaning shifts
- 01:15 — How the word is commonly used today
Final Thought
Host Peter Sokolowski closes the episode highlighting the positive, modern sense of the word and encourages listeners to visit Merriam-Webster.com for more word explorations.
Useful for:
Anyone seeking to expand their vocabulary, understand word origins, or find inspiration in the evolution of language.