paranormal
Americanadjective
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
- paranormally adverb
Etymology
Origin of paranormal
Explanation
Use the adjective paranormal to talk about things that are outside of normal experience, like ESP, ghosts, and UFOs. You might describe your friend's uncanny ability to bend spoons with her mind as paranormal, or beyond a scientific explanation. While many people don't believe in any kind of paranormal events, there are those who see or hear things they can't explain rationally. The Greek word para, "against, or contrary to," is paired up with normal: if it goes against what's normal, you can probably describe it as paranormal.
Vocabulary lists containing paranormal
Friday the 13th
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Trowbridge Road
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Paola Santiago and the River of Tears
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ms. Kiri, who is on camera almost nonstop and is in close-up much of the time, expertly holds our attention as her character’s skepticism about the paranormal world becomes increasingly occluded by worry.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
Is something paranormal afoot or is the rupture in Montessori’s mind?
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025
Later in the video, other members of Rivera’s group chime in, adding they intend to complete the tour to honor famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who inspired “The Conjuring” franchise.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025
Jack, meanwhile, has mainly stuck to presenting in his post-show life, including on a paranormal investigation show that co-starred his parents.
From Salon • Jul. 24, 2025
Is it more strained than claims that the skepticism of onlookers systematically prevents the occurrence of certain paranormal phenomena?
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
