Meaning & use
metaphysics
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Meanings
noununcountable
The branch of philosophy that studies the basic nature of reality, existence, and being.
Grammar: Uncountable; used with a singular verb: Metaphysics is difficult.
Patterns
- metaphysics of something
She studied metaphysics at university, focusing on the nature of time.
The debate about free will is a classic problem in metaphysics.
His book mixes metaphysics with physics in an unusual way.
noununcountabledisapproving
Abstract philosophical thinking that is not based on practical experience.
Grammar: Uncountable; often used disapprovingly.
We don't have time for metaphysics; let's focus on what we can measure.
His argument was dismissed as pure metaphysics, with no evidence.
Common combinations
- the metaphysics of
- The metaphysics of identity asks what makes a person the same over time.
- study metaphysics
- He went to graduate school to study metaphysics.
- metaphysics and epistemology
- The course covers metaphysics and epistemology.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ontology
- Ontology is a specific part of metaphysics that deals with what exists, not the whole field.
- philosophy
- Philosophy is the wider subject; metaphysics is one branch of it.
Word family
- metaphysical adjective
- Relating to metaphysics or abstract philosophical ideas.
- metaphysician noun
- A person who studies or writes about metaphysics.
Commonly confused: metaphysics or metaphysical?
metaphysics vs metaphysical
Metaphysical is the adjective; metaphysics is the noun. Don't say 'a metaphysics question'; say 'a metaphysical question'.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'metaphysics' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Metaphysics is an uncountable noun for a subject, so it goes with 'studying' and a singular verb. 'A metaphysics' and 'metaphysics are' are wrong because it is not countable, and 'they metaphysics' is wrong because it is not a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “metaphysics”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.