miraculous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "miraculous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extraordinary or unexplainable, often in a positive context, such as a remarkable event or outcome. Example: "The doctors were amazed by the miraculous recovery of the patient after the surgery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They come on foot from surrounding towns; on roads around the region you can see them trudging toward the adobe church in darkness before dawn.In Chimayo they collect dirt, which they believe has miraculous healing powers, from the shrine of the church, which legend says miraculously refills itself.

The Economist

We were caterpillars, greedy worms condemned to toil on earth; the chrysalis was our coffin, but the butterfly's miraculous emergence symbolised the possibility of an afterlife, a chance for our souls to ascend to heaven.

The Guardian - Film

This was what Dodd calls her "unresolved sadness" and is perhaps a key to both her intensely private nature and also the miraculous intuition of her work, in which she finds people out with her seeing eye and her camera lens.

The Guardian - Arts

I think that a child does not feel the sublime because a child need not, perhaps cannot, confront the limitations of his or her language – language, for a child, is already miraculous, supple, generous in its association, tragic, hilarious, disproportionate and huge.

The Guardian - Books

Trailing by three goals at half-time after an absolutely shambolic start, somehow it turned the match on its head and they completed a miraculous 4-3 comeback in the dying seconds.

The Guardian - Sport

He died in 1964; given his chaotic and driven life, it is miraculous that he survived so long.

The Guardian - Film

This small gift, coming as it does after the harrowing things he has experienced, is transmuted into an almost miraculous event, and his giddiness at the prospect of satiety is palpable.

The Guardian - Books

A work of airy and inward intensity, in which six dancers seem to generate Scarlatti's music rather than simply respond to it, the piece has been hailed as "spellbinding" and "miraculous".

The Guardian

Now things don't look quite as awful as they did a couple of years ago – and this somehow gets chalked up as a miraculous rebound.

The Guardian - Opinion

I talked it over with my better half and we came to the conclusion that we didn't want to "screw with the vibe" of our miraculous run – whatever that even means – as if financial horse sense would somehow invite negative karmic consequences.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's miraculous to me that he's also a producer and record executive.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "miraculous" to describe events that defy natural explanation, particularly when emphasizing positive or fortunate outcomes. Ensure the context supports the implication of something beyond ordinary understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "miraculous" for everyday positive occurrences that don't involve a genuine sense of wonder or defying natural laws. Reserve it for situations where the outcome is truly exceptional and unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The word "miraculous" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is extraordinary or seemingly impossible through natural means. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of this term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "miraculous" is a frequently used and grammatically sound way to describe events that inspire wonder and defy natural explanation. As noted by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it's important to reserve "miraculous" for contexts where its impact is truly warranted, avoiding overuse in mundane situations. Consider alternatives like "astonishing" or "remarkable" in less dramatic contexts. Its high frequency across news, media, and formal business settings underscores its broad applicability when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astonishing

Focuses on the surprise and disbelief caused by the event or situation.

extraordinary

Highlights the exceptional and uncommon nature of something.

remarkable

Emphasizes the noteworthiness and outstanding quality of an event or achievement.

amazing

Conveys a sense of wonder and delight.

unbelievable

Stresses the difficulty in accepting something as true or real.

marvelous

Implies something is wonderful and delightful.

wondrous

Evokes a feeling of awe and amazement.

supernatural

Suggests a connection to forces beyond the natural world.

inexplicable

Highlights the inability to explain or understand something.

providential

Indicates divine intervention or a fortunate coincidence.

FAQs

How can I use "miraculous" in a sentence?

You can use "miraculous" to describe events that are extraordinary and seem to defy natural laws. For example, "The patient made a "miraculous recovery" after the surgery".

What are some alternatives to the word "miraculous"?

Alternatives include "astonishing", "extraordinary", "remarkable", or "amazing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "miraculous" in formal writing?

Yes, "miraculous" is appropriate in formal writing when describing events that genuinely seem beyond natural explanation. However, avoid using it hyperbolically. Alternatives such as "remarkable" or "extraordinary" may be more suitable in some formal contexts.

What's the difference between "miraculous" and "magical"?

"Miraculous" typically implies divine intervention or an event that defies scientific explanation, often with a religious connotation. "Magical" often refers to something enchanting or producing wonder through illusions or fantasy, so choose the right one based on which meaning you'd like to convey.