metaphysical

• Relatif à la métaphysique, c'est-à-dire à la partie de la philosophie qui étudie les principes premiers de l'être et de la réalité au-delà de l'expérience sensible. Peut aussi désigner ce qui est spéculatif, abstrait, difficile à comprendre ou purement théorique.

Relating to the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.

1. Relating to metaphysicsC1formal

   Pertaining to the branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of things, including abstract concepts such as being, knowing, substance, cause, identity, time, and space.

   relatif à la métaphysique

   • The philosopher's metaphysical arguments about the nature of reality were difficult to follow.
   • She wrote a paper on the metaphysical implications of quantum mechanics.
   • The course covers metaphysical questions like 'What is existence?'

   Synonymesontologicalphilosophicalspeculativetheoreticaltranscendental

2. Without material formC1formal

   Lacking a physical or material substance; incorporeal or spiritual in nature.

   Sans forme matérielle

   • In many religions, the soul is considered a metaphysical entity.
   • The artist tried to capture metaphysical concepts like love and time in his paintings.
   • They discussed the metaphysical realm of pure ideas.

   Synonymesbodilessetherealimmaterialincorporealintangiblenonphysicalspiritualunsubstantial

   Antonymescorporealmaterialphysicaltangible

3. Highly abstract or theoreticalC2informal

   Excessively abstract, theoretical, or speculative, often to the point of being disconnected from practical reality.

   Spéculatif, abstrait

   • His metaphysical musings about the meaning of life went over everyone's head.
   • The debate became too metaphysical and lost touch with the actual problem.
   • Stop being so metaphysical and give me a concrete answer.

   Synonymesabstractabstruseconceptualesotericintellectualphilosophicalreconditespeculativetheoreticaltranscendental

   Antonymesconcreteempiricalpracticalpragmaticrealistic