transcendental

IPA/ˌtrænsenˈdentl/
KK[trˌænsəndˈɛntəl]IPA/ˌtrænsenˈdentl/

transcendental — adjective

  • transcendentalpositive
  • more transcendentalcomparative
  • most transcendentalsuperlative

1. describing an experience or moment that feels deeply significant in a way that g

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing an experience or moment that feels deeply significant in a way that goes beyond what people can normally understand or explain — often connected to spiritual or religious feelings

Example

Kenji described his meditation experience as transcendental, saying he felt connected to everything around him.

describe something as + transcendental

The old church had a transcendental beauty that made visitors stop and stare in silence.

Common collocations
  • transcendental experience
  • transcendental moment
  • transcendental beauty
  • transcendental feeling
Synonyms
  • transcendent

    Broader; can describe any achievement or quality that rises above normal limits, not only spiritual moments

  • sublime

    Emphasizes overwhelming beauty or awe, often connected to art or nature

  • extraordinary

    Much more common and less intense; simply means very unusual, without spiritual overtones

Antonyms
  • ordinary

    Everyday, not special or remarkable

  • mundane

    Relating to ordinary daily life, lacking spiritual depth

Usage Note

Typically describes experiences, moments, or feelings rather than people or objects. Common in spiritual or deeply personal contexts.

Common Mistakes

I had a transcendental sandwich at lunch.
I had a transcendental experience during the concert.
The word describes extraordinary, profound moments, not everyday things.

2. belonging to a world or reality beyond the natural one that science studies — no

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

belonging to a world or reality beyond the natural one that science studies — not explainable by the ordinary laws of nature

Example

Tamás's grandmother told stories about transcendental beings who watched over the forest.

transcendental + being(s) — supernatural entity

Erik believes a transcendental force guides the movement of stars and planets.

Common collocations
  • transcendental being
  • transcendental force
  • transcendental power
  • transcendental event
Synonyms
  • supernatural

    The everyday word; preferred in ordinary speech for events outside natural law

  • otherworldly

    Suggests a sense of being from a different realm or dimension

  • preternatural

    More formal; describes abilities or qualities that are beyond what is normal but not necessarily outside nature

Antonyms
  • natural

    Of or in accordance with the physical world

Usage Note

More formal and philosophical than 'supernatural,' which is the ordinary word for this idea. Prefer 'supernatural' in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

The wizard cast a transcendental spell.
The hermit spoke of transcendental forces in nature.
Used in philosophical or spiritual contexts, not fantasy fiction.

3. connected with the philosophical idea that knowledge comes partly from the human

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

connected with the philosophical idea that knowledge comes partly from the human mind's own structure, not only from what we observe — especially in the systems of Kant or the American transcendentalists

Example

Asher wrote a long paper on Kant's transcendental philosophy for his final exam.

transcendental philosophy — Kantian technical term

The transcendental tradition in America was shaped by writers like Emerson and Thoreau.

Common collocations
  • transcendental philosophy
  • transcendental argument
  • transcendental idealism
  • transcendental tradition
Synonyms
  • a priori

    A related Kantian term meaning knowledge that comes from reasoning alone, not from experience

  • metaphysical

    Broader category dealing with the fundamental nature of reality; not limited to Kant's system

  • idealist

    Related but not identical; idealism argues that reality is shaped by the mind

Antonyms
  • empirical

    Based on observation and experience rather than on the structure of the mind

Usage Note

This is a technical term in philosophy. In Kantian thought, 'transcendental' refers to the conditions that make experience possible, not to anything that exists beyond experience itself. Distinguish from 'transcendent,' which means going beyond all possible experience.

Common Mistakes

That movie was so transcendental!' (used as vague praise).
Kant's transcendental philosophy examines how the mind shapes our understanding of the world.
In academic use, it has a precise technical meaning.

Word family

  • transcend
    verbB2
  • transcendent
    adjectiveB2
  • transcendence
    nounB2
  • transcendentalism
    nounC1
  • transcendentalist
    nounC1
  • transcendency
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Transcendental, transcendent, spiritual, mystical, and sublime all describe experiences beyond ordinary life, but they differ in scope and context. Transcendental most often points to a deeply significant personal moment that feels beyond normal understanding, especially in spiritual settings. Transcendent is broader — it can describe anything that rises above normal limits, from a musical performance to a mathematical proof, not necessarily with spiritual overtones. Spiritual relates directly to the soul or religious faith and is far more common in everyday speech. Mystical implies hidden or secret knowledge gained through meditation or divine connection, often carrying a sense of mystery. Sublime emphasizes a mix of overwhelming awe and beauty that fills the senses. For example: 'Her transcendental moment during meditation changed how she saw the world' versus 'The orchestra's transcendent performance moved the audience to tears.'

transcendent ↗spiritual ↗mystical ↗sublime ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • transcendental meditation
  • transcendental philosophy
  • transcendental experience

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'transcendere' (trans- 'across, beyond' + scandere 'to climb'), meaning 'to climb over or go beyond.' The word entered English in the 1600s through medieval scholastic philosophy, then took on broader spiritual and philosophical meanings.

First known use

1624

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a