metaphysical
/ˌmetəˈfɪzɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · [mˌɛtəfˈɪzɪkəl] /ˌmetəˈfɪzɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · [mˌɛtəfˈɪzɪkəl] /ˌme-tə-ˈfi-zi-kəl/ (ame, mw)
metaphysical — adjective
- metaphysicalpositive
- more metaphysicalcomparative
- most metaphysicalsuperlative
1. concerning the area of philosophy that asks what reality is, what exists, and ho
concerning the area of philosophy that asks what reality is, what exists, and how we can know things
Haruto gave a lecture on metaphysical questions that kept his class debating for hours.
collocation: metaphysical questions
Yara read a metaphysical essay asking whether numbers exist outside the human mind.
collocation: metaphysical essay
Daniel's thesis tackled the metaphysical problem of how consciousness arises from physical brain processes.
The seminar explored metaphysical questions about whether the past is as real as the present.
Linh chose a module on metaphysical philosophy after asking what reality itself is made of.
- philosophical
broader term covering all branches of philosophy, not only metaphysics
- ontological
more technical and narrower, specifically about the nature of being
- transcendental
used in Kantian philosophy for conditions that make experience possible
用法筆記
Most often used as an attributive adjective (before the noun), as in 'metaphysical question' or 'metaphysical philosophy.'
常見錯誤
2. describing ideas that are so removed from everyday concerns that they feel impos
describing ideas that are so removed from everyday concerns that they feel impossible to grasp or put into practice
Samir grew tired of the consultant's metaphysical talk about 'brand energy' and 'corporate souls.'
collocation: metaphysical talk
Joaquín found the committee's metaphysical debate about fairness useless for reaching any real decision.
Talia told her team to set aside metaphysical theories and focus on real customer feedback.
The reviewer complained that the argument grew too metaphysical and lost touch with real evidence.
Théo warned that the discussion was turning metaphysical when the team needed practical solutions.
- abstract
more general; not necessarily tied to philosophy
- theoretical
may still be grounded in a discipline, while 'metaphysical' implies floating free of all practical concerns
- abstruse
formal; emphasises difficulty of understanding rather than impracticality
用法筆記
Often carries a mildly dismissive tone, suggesting that an idea is too far removed from practical reality to be useful. Frequently paired with intensifying adverbs like 'purely' or 'too.'
常見錯誤
metaphysical — noun
1. a member of a group of 17th-century English poets—such as John Donne—whose work
a member of a group of 17th-century English poets—such as John Donne—whose work used clever, intellectual comparisons and explored deep questions about love and faith
Dr. Okafor's lecture on the metaphysicals examined Donne's comparison of two lovers to a compass.
specialized term: the metaphysicals (group of 17th-century poets)
Yara described John Donne as the most inventive metaphysical, praising his unusual comparisons.
singular count noun: a metaphysical
Samir read the metaphysicals to show how poetry could be clever and heartfelt at once.
Linh contrasted the metaphysicals' intricate imagery with the simpler style of the Romantics.
Haruto's favourite metaphysical was Andrew Marvell, whose poems still feel sharp and urgent today.
用法筆記
Usually appears in the plural 'the metaphysicals' when referring to the group as a whole. The singular 'a metaphysical' refers to one poet from the group. Key figures include John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and George Herbert.