miraculously
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mɪrˈækjʊləsli/
US
- /mərˈækjələsli/
Description
- As if by a miracle
- against all odds
- in an amazingly lucky way
Sometimes things happen in a way that is very hard to explain, so unlikely that they feel almost impossible. That is when we say something happened miraculously. It does not always mean a real religious miracle happened. More often, it means something very lucky and unexpected took place. A cat might miraculously survive a fall from a great height, or a lost wallet might miraculously turn up after weeks of searching. The word suggests a happy surprise that feels far beyond normal luck.
Think of it like this: if you win the lottery, that's luck. If you survive a plane crash with no injuries, that's miraculously lucky! It implies something extraordinary and positive happened against all odds.
The word "miraculously" describes an event happening in a way that seems impossible or highly improbable, as if by a miracle. While it is often associated with religious beliefs, especially the idea of divine intervention, it is also frequently used to describe any astonishingly fortunate outcome that defies logical explanation.
It's not simply about something being lucky; it implies an element of surprise and relief, suggesting things could have gone terribly wrong but somehow didn't. For example: "The injured hiker was miraculously rescued after being lost in the mountains for three days." This suggests the rescue wasn't just fortunate, but almost unbelievable given the circumstances.
"Miraculously" can also describe the manner in which something happens. "The garden flourished miraculously despite the drought" means it thrived in an unexpected and remarkable way.
You'll often find "miraculously" used to emphasize a positive outcome after a period of hardship or danger. It adds a layer of wonder and gratitude to the narrative, highlighting how fortunate things turned out. While not requiring belief in the supernatural, it evokes a sense of something special and extraordinary at play.
So, when you want to express that something happened against all odds, with an element of luck and astonishment, "miraculously" is the perfect word to use, painting a picture of unexpected grace and fortunate circumstances.
Examples
- 1
Survival
He was badly injured in the crash, but he miraculously survived.
- 2
Weather
After a week of rain, the sky miraculously cleared just in time for the wedding.
- 3
Travel timing
We thought we had missed the last train, but we miraculously made it to the station before it left.
Phrase
make it to
arrive somewhere in time
- 4
Lost item
The old photo, which everyone thought was lost, miraculously turned up in a drawer.
- 5
Disaster survival
The village was surrounded by fire, yet the school was miraculously left untouched.
Forms and spellings
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Main spelling
- miraculouslyadverb