What does miracle mean?
A miracle is an event regarded as surpassing the ordinary laws of nature, especially one attributed to divine or supernatural agency. In religious contexts it may refer to a healing, a revelation, or another extraordinary sign. In secular and informal usage, “miracle” can describe an exceptionally fortunate result, such as a successful rescue, a decisive last-minute intervention, or an unexpectedly easy recovery. The word is usually countable and commonly occurs with phrases such as “perform a miracle” and “work miracles.” Its figurative use can be emphatic or hyperbolic, as when a routine success is called miraculous, so context often indicates whether the description is literal, metaphorical, or simply enthusiastic. The related adjective “miraculous” describes something that is wonderful, extraordinary, or seemingly impossible. Though the noun is firmly established in standard modern English, using “miracle” as a verb is now archaic.
An extraordinary event believed to result from supernatural or divine intervention; also, figuratively, a remarkably fortunate or successful occurrence.
"The restoration of the ancient temple was hailed as a miracle."
A countable noun that is also widely used figuratively for an exceptionally fortunate event.
To marvel or wonder at something.
"They miracle at the complexity of the human brain."
Archaic and rare in modern English.
The standard plural is “miracles.” The singular commonly appears as “a miracle,” while plural forms are used in phrases such as “perform miracles.”
"The specialists believed that the new therapy could perform miracles."
From the Latin mirus, meaning “wonderful,” the word “miracle” became English’s enduring name for an event beyond ordinary human explanation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does miracle come from?
English “miracle” entered through Old French miracle from Latin miraculum, meaning “something wonderful,” which was associated with Latin mirus, “wonderful” or “extraordinary.” The word was established in English by the late Middle English period and initially referred to a wonder or an event attributed to divine intervention. Its relatives include “miraculous,” “mirage,” “admire,” and “mirific,” all associated with the Latin root for wonder or wonderful qualities.
Related word forms
How miracle is actually used
As a countable noun, “miracle” normally takes “a” or “an” and has the plural “miracles.” Figurative uses such as “a miracle for modern medicine” are common in journalism and informal speech. The verb form is rare and chiefly archaic.
Easily confused with miracle
A mirage is an optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, whereas a miracle is an extraordinary event, often attributed to supernatural agency.