transcendent

/trænˈsendənt/ (bre, ipa) · [trænsˈɛndənt] /trænˈsendənt/ (ame, ipa) · [trænsˈɛndənt] /tran(t)-ˈsen-dənt How to pronounce transcendent (audio)/ (ame, mw)

transcendent — adjective

  • transcendentpositive
  • more transcendentcomparative
  • most transcendentsuperlative

1. far better or greater than anything of its kind; going beyond the normal level o

1.形容詞C1
釋義

far better or greater than anything of its kind; going beyond the normal level of excellence or achievement.

例句

Dahlia described the sunset as a moment of transcendent beauty.

collocation: transcendent beauty

The young pianist gave a performance of transcendent skill that left the audience speechless.

collocation: transcendent skill

同義詞
  • supreme

    emphasises the highest rank or degree; less spiritual than transcendent

  • unparalleled

    focuses on having no equal, without the sense of going beyond normal limits

  • extraordinary

    a more common, everyday word for something very unusual or impressive

  • incomparable

    stresses that nothing else can be compared; used for achievements and beauty

反義詞
  • mediocre

    of only average or below-average quality

  • ordinary

    not special or different in any way

文法句型

transcendent + noun

be + transcendent

用法筆記

Frequently used to describe art, nature, music, or emotional experiences that feel extraordinarily powerful or beautiful.

常見錯誤

❌His piano playing was transcendentally good.
✅His piano playing reached a transcendent level of skill.
💡'transcendental' is a separate philosophical term; the adjective form for 'surpassing excellence' is 'transcendent.'

2. existing outside the range of ordinary human understanding or the physical world

2.形容詞C2
釋義

existing outside the range of ordinary human understanding or the physical world; relating to a spiritual or divine level that ordinary senses cannot reach.

例句

Shirin described a transcendent state of awareness she reached during deep meditation.

collocation: transcendent state of awareness

The monk believed that transcendent truth could be felt but never fully described in words.

collocation: transcendent truth

同義詞
  • mystical

    emphasises direct personal experience of the divine; less formal than transcendent

  • otherworldly

    stresses a feeling of not belonging to this world

  • metaphysical

    more academic; relates to philosophical theories about reality beyond the physical

反義詞
  • worldly

    concerned with ordinary life rather than spiritual matters

  • mundane

    ordinary and not at all interesting or unusual

文法句型

transcendent + noun

be + transcendent

用法筆記

Subject is typically a spiritual practice, philosophical idea, or religious concept. Not used for everyday feelings — use 'extraordinary' or 'remarkable' instead. Distinguish from sense 1, which describes exceptional worldly achievement; this sense describes what lies beyond worldly experience entirely.

常見錯誤

❌The food had a transcendent taste.' (meaning it was very good)
✅The food had an extraordinary taste.
💡For everyday praise use 'extraordinary' or 'amazing'; 'transcendent' in this sense applies to spiritual or metaphysical ideas.