supranatural

Supranatural is a term used in a limited range of English-language discussions—primarily in philosophy, theology, and some speculative writings—to describe realities or explanations that lie beyond the ordinary natural world without necessarily invoking miracles or deities as in traditional supernaturalism. The word signals a nuance that is above the natural order but not closed off from naturalistic or non-miraculous readings, depending on the author.

Etymologically, supranatural is formed from supra- meaning above or beyond, combined with natural. It is distinct from the more common term supernatural, which in many contexts carries strong religious or miracle-related connotations. In contrast, supranatural can be used to indicate a higher level of reality, causation, or explanation that operates above everyday natural phenomena while potentially remaining within a broader, non-miraculous framework. Because it is not standardized, its exact meaning varies by author and discipline.

Usage is relatively rare and informal. It may appear in philosophical debates about the nature of reality, in theological discussions seeking to differentiate levels of causation, or in speculative fiction where authors want to gesture toward concepts beyond the natural without invoking conventional miracles. The lack of consensus on definition and scope means supranatural is not widely recognized as a distinct category in established fields.

See also: supernatural, naturalism, metaphysics, transcendent, transnatural.