paranormal
1 synonym and 1 antonym for paranormal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Beyond what science can currently explain, especially involving ghosts, telepathy, or similar phenomena.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use paranormal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
paranormal activity
paranormal investigator
believe in the paranormal
Etymology
From para- ("beyond") + normal; the term entered English around 1905 to describe events outside ordinary scientific explanation.
Full origin of paranormal →Frequently asked questions
What does “paranormal” mean?
The word “paranormal” means beyond what science can currently explain, especially involving ghosts, telepathy, or similar phenomena. In plain terms, spooky or unexplained stuff — ghosts, psychic powers, hauntings — that falls outside normal science.
How do you use “paranormal” in a sentence?
Here is “paranormal” used in a sentence: “The show investigates paranormal activity reported in old hotels.”
What part of speech is “paranormal”?
Depending on how it is used, “paranormal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “paranormal” come from?
The word “paranormal” dates back to around 1905. From para- ("beyond") + normal; the term entered English around 1905 to describe events outside ordinary scientific explanation.
Is “paranormal” a common word?
“Paranormal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “paranormal” have?
“Paranormal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: beyond what science can currently explain, especially involving ghosts, telepathy, or similar phenomena.
