Word
metaphysics
Phoneticsmeta·physics
US/ˌmɛtəˈfɪzɪks/
UK/mˌɛtəfˈɪzɪks/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the branch of philosophy that studies the basic nature of reality. It asks big questions about what exists, what time is, and how the mind and body are connected.
n. the branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of reality, including the relationship between mind and matter, substance and attribute, and potentiality and actuality.
Examples
“He spent years studying metaphysics to understand the nature of existence.”
“The professor's lecture on metaphysics explored whether time is a physical dimension or merely a human construct.”
“While physics provides the empirical laws of the universe, metaphysics seeks to address the underlying ontological questions that science alone cannot resolve.”
Examples
simple
“He spent years studying metaphysics to understand the nature of existence.”
contextual
“The professor's lecture on metaphysics explored whether time is a physical dimension or merely a human construct.”
complex
“While physics provides the empirical laws of the universe, metaphysics seeks to address the underlying ontological questions that science alone cannot resolve.”
Usage
Treated as a singular noun despite the 's' ending; takes a singular verb.
Pitfall
Metaphysics are a difficult subject.
Metaphysics is a difficult subject.
Like 'physics' or 'mathematics', this word is singular in construction and requires a singular verb.
Real-World Examples
“And that brings us to the logical conclusion of computism’s metaphysics: the idea that generative AI will transcend humanity to become a post-human subject.” “Philosopher Susan Schneider suggested if we had an AI that convincingly mused on the metaphysics of consciousness, it may well be conscious.” Etymology
1560s; plural of metaphysic, from Middle English methaphesik, methaphisik, methaphisique, metaphesyk, methafisik, metaphesyk, methephysyk, from Old French metafisique, methaphisique and Medieval Latin metaphysica, methephisica, from Byzantine Greek μεταφυσικά (metaphusiká), from the title of the collection by Aristotle μετὰ τὰ φυσικά (metà tà phusiká, “Following The Natural World”), a collection that comes after (μετά (metá)) Aristotle's collection entitled τὰ φυσικά (tà phusiká, “The Natural World”), from φυσικός (phusikós, “natural”). By surface analysis, meta- + physics.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/metaphysics