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Supernatural vs Spiritual - What's the difference?

supernatural | spiritual |

As adjectives the difference between supernatural and spiritual

is that supernatural is above nature; that which is beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that which humans are born with. In Roman Catholic theology, sanctifying grace is considered to be a supernatural addition to human nature while spiritual is of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.

As nouns the difference between supernatural and spiritual

is that supernatural is a supernatural being while spiritual is a Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.

supernatural

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Above nature; that which is beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that which humans are born with. In Roman Catholic theology, is considered to be a supernatural addition to human nature.
  • Not of the usual; not natural; altered by forces that are not understood fully if at all.
    • The house is haunted by supernatural forces.
  • Neither visible nor measurable.

    • Synonyms

    * extraordinary, paranormal, preternatural, supranatural, unnatural

    Antonyms

    * ordinary * natural

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (countable) A supernatural being.
  • (uncountable) Supernatural beings and events collectively.
  • * 2012 , Blake Morrison, The Guardian , [http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jul/20/blake-morrison-under-the-witches-spell?INTCMP=SRCH]:
    • Dr Johnson defended Shakespeare's use of the supernatural from the charge of implausibility on the grounds that, "The reality of witchcraft … has in all ages and countries been credited by the common people, and in most by the learned."

    spiritual

    English

    Alternative forms

    * spirituall, spirytual, spirytuall, spyritual, spyrituall, spyrytual, spyrytuall

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.
    • Respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
    • God's law is spiritual ; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man.
  • Of or pertaining to God or a place of worship; sacred.
  • Of or pertaining to spirits; supernatural.
  • Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal.
    • a spiritual substance or being
  • * Bible, 1. Corinthians xv. 44
    • It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
  • Of or relating to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
  • (Christianity) Controlled and inspired by the Holy Spirit; pure; holy.
  • * Bible, Gal. vi. 1
    • If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual , restore such an one.
  • Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical.
    • the spiritual''' functions of the clergy; lords '''spiritual''' and temporal; a '''spiritual corporation

    Derived terms

    * antispiritual * antispiritualism * antispirituality * spiritual desertion * spiritualism * spiritualist * spirituality * spiritually

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.
  • Any spiritual function, office, or affair.
    • He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals , and to the emperor in temporals. — Lowell.