other-worldly

The painting had an other-worldly glow.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Pertaining to a world beyond earthly existence: "other-worldly" describes something that belongs to a realm outside of ordinary physical life, often associated with the afterlife, spiritual realms, or supernatural dimensions.
   • Unearthly or supernatural in quality: It can also refer to something that seems alien, mystical, or not of this world, evoking a sense of mystery or transcendence.

Usage Examples

• (The painting appeared to belong to a supernatural or heavenly realm.)
• (Her beauty was so extraordinary that it seemed not of this world.)
• (The temple felt detached from ordinary life, as if connected to a spiritual dimension.)

Advanced Usage

• "other-worldly experience": an event or sensation that feels beyond normal human perception.

  • The meditation retreat gave her an other-worldly experience of deep peace. (She felt a profound sense of calm that seemed to transcend ordinary reality.)

• "other-worldly being": a creature or entity not native to Earth.

  • In science fiction, aliens are often depicted as other-worldly beings with advanced intelligence. (Unearthly creatures from distant planets.)

Variants and Related Words

• Otherworld (n): a world beyond this one, often imagined as a spiritual or supernatural realm.

  • The shaman claimed to have visited the otherworld during his trance. (A realm beyond earthly life.)

• Otherworldliness (n): the quality of being other-worldly; a sense of detachment from ordinary life.

  • The poet's work is marked by a profound otherworldliness. (A characteristic of being mystical or transcendent.)

Synonyms

• Supernatural: relating to phenomena beyond the laws of nature.
• Transcendent: existing beyond ordinary experience or the material world.
• Unearthly: seeming not to belong to this world; eerie or ghostly.

Related Idioms

• Not of this world: extremely unusual or superior; seemingly belonging to a different realm.

  • Her talent for music is not of this world. (Her ability is so extraordinary it seems supernatural.)

• Out of this world: exceptionally good or impressive (similar in meaning but more informal).

  • The dessert was out of this world! (It was incredibly delicious, as if from a different realm.)