Transcendental: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something that goes beyond ordinary experience or scientific understanding. Often associated with philosophy or higher levels of thinking.

• The philosopher's theories were deeply transcendental, exploring the nature of existence itself.
• Listening to that piece of music had a transcendental effect on her, lifting her spirits beyond the mundane reality.

Often used in religious or personal growth contexts to describe something related to the soul, spirit, or a higher power. Can also refer to inner peace and personal enlightenment.

• She described her journey through the mountains as a deeply spiritual experience.
• Many people turn to spiritual practices, like meditation or prayer, to find inner peace.

Commonly used in discussions of philosophy and is related to questions of existence, reality, and the nature of being, beyond the physical world.

• The novel delves into metaphysical questions about the existence of the soul and the meaning of life.
• His interest in metaphysical poetry led him to study the works of John Donne.

Refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature and physical explanation, often used in the context of ghost stories, folklore, or unexplained events.

• The old mansion was said to be haunted by supernatural forces.
• Movies about vampires and werewolves often explore supernatural themes.

Situations related to abstract, spiritual, or non-physical concepts that go beyond ordinary experience. It is also used in mathematics to describe numbers that are not the root of any non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients.

• The artist's work had a transcendental quality that captivated everyone.
• Pi is an example of a transcendental number.

Used to describe something that lacks reason or logic, often carrying a negative connotation. In mathematics, it refers to numbers that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction.

• Her fear of spiders seemed completely irrational.
• The square root of 2 is an irrational number.

Typically used in mathematics to refer to numbers that cannot be the solution to any polynomial equation with rational coefficients, synonymous with transcendental.

• Pi and e are examples of non-algebraic numbers.

Best used in philosophical, spiritual, or metaphysical discussions to describe something beyond normal human experience or understanding.

• The idea of a transcendental reality is often explored in Eastern philosophies.
• Kant's theory of knowledge includes the notion of the transcendental ideal.

Used when talking about the process of considering something independently of its associations, attributes, or concrete accompaniments. Often used in art and mathematics.

• In mathematics, we use abstraction to simplify complex problems.
• His paintings are famous for their high level of abstraction.

Commonly used in everyday language to refer to an idea or a mental picture of a group or category of objects formed as a result of experience. Utilized often in academic and professional settings.

• The concept of time management is crucial for productivity.
• She introduced the new marketing concept at the meeting.

Used to refer to a belief or idea, often vague or not fully developed. It can sometimes carry a slight degree of skepticism or dismissal.

• He had the notion that everything would be fine without any effort.
• The notion of equal distribution of wealth is appealing to many.