clairvoyance

[ klair-voi-uhns ]

noun

1. the supernatural power of seeing objects or actions removed in space or time from natural viewing. Compare clairaudience, clairsentience.
2. quick, intuitive knowledge of things and people; sagacity.

   Synonyms: vision, discernment, penetration, intuition

clairvoyance

/ klɛəˈvɔɪəns /

noun

1. the alleged power of perceiving things beyond the natural range of the senses See also extrasensory perception
2. keen intuitive understanding

Word History and Origins

Origin of clairvoyance¹

First recorded in 1840–50; from French, equivalent to clairvoy(ant) clairvoyant + -ance -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of clairvoyance¹

C19: from French: clear-seeing, from clair clear, from Latin clārus + voyance, from voir to see, from Latin vidēre

Example Sentences

Using her clairvoyance to develop a casual pickup line is just one of her freaky metaphysical powers.

From Washington Post

The Queen was so impressed that she had a watch inscribed to Miss Eagle for ‘meritorious and extraordinary clairvoyance.’

From The Daily Beast

It combined the rambling, torturous pace of J. Edgar, the oddball clairvoyance of Hereafter, and … that line from Dirty Harry.

From The Daily Beast

The limit to this we do not know, but it is not unlikely that clairvoyance or second sight is based upon it.

From Project Gutenberg

Another curious instance of clairvoyance came to the knowledge of the writer in the same village.

From Project Gutenberg

That which goes by the names of clairvoyance and spiritualism is based solely upon an unreasoning credulity.

From Project Gutenberg

After a time clairvoyance was replaced by spiritualism, and I was again challenged to test the virtue of mediums.

From Project Gutenberg

As a test of Sibyl's clairvoyance, this was not very satisfactory.

From Project Gutenberg