transcendent

[tran-sen-duhnt]

adjective

1. going beyond ordinary limits; surpassing; exceeding.

2. superior or supreme.

3. Theology.,  (of the Deity) transcending the universe, time, etc.

4. Philosophy.

   1. Scholasticism.,  above all possible modes of the infinite.

   2. Kantianism.,  transcending experience; not realizable in human experience.

   3. (in modern realism) referred to, but beyond, direct apprehension; outside consciousness.

noun

Mathematics.

1. a transcendental function.

transcendent

/ trænˈsɛndənt /

adjective

1. exceeding or surpassing in degree or excellence

2. 1. (in the philosophy of Kant) beyond or before experience; a priori

   2. (of a concept) falling outside a given set of categories

   3. beyond consciousness or direct apprehension

3. theol (of God) having continuous existence outside the created world

4. free from the limitations inherent in matter

noun

1. philosophy a transcendent thing

Other Word Forms

• transcendently adverb
• transcendentness noun
• supertranscendent adjective
• supertranscendently adverb
• supertranscendentness noun
• untranscendent adjective
• transcendence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of transcendent¹

1575–85; < Latin trānscendent- (stem of trānscendēns ), present participle of trānscendere. See transcend, -ent

Example Sentences

The U.S. poet laureate and native Californian’s seventh collection of poetry is rooted in the land, but gives voice to the transcendent.

From Los Angeles Times

Her resultant style, of both dress and music, is edging and transcendent, aloft and full of momentum.

From Los Angeles Times

That ultraviolet haze shimmering around a blossoming jacaranda delivers a moment of transcendent enchantment.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, not every dip needs to be elaborate to be transcendent.

From Salon

“Luke is one of the game’s most transcendent players, and his on-court dominance and passion is without comparison.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abstract 
• fantastic 
• otherworldly 
• sublime 
• supernatural 
• ultimate