paranormal

adjective

para·​nor·​mal ˌper-ə-ˈnȯr-məl 

ˌpa-rə-;

ˈper-ə-ˌnȯr-,

ˈpa-rə-

: not scientifically explainable : supernatural

paranormal noun

paranormality

ˌper-ə-ˌnȯr-ˈma-lə-tē 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

paranormally

ˌper-ə-ˈnȯr-mə-lē 

ˌpa-rə-;

ˈper-ə-ˌnȯr-

ˈpa-rə-

adverb

Synonyms

• metaphysical
• otherworldly
• preternatural
• supernatural
• transcendent
• transcendental
• unearthly

Examples of paranormal in a Sentence

there are rumors that the old deserted mansion is the site of paranormal activity

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether or not Adele truly lived in fear of paranormal roommates, the fact remains that Sutton has been unable to sell Lock House for the last 14 years. —Madeline Fitzgerald, Quartz, 18 Feb. 2025

Joo-Sil also appeared role in the K-drama The Uncanny Counter, which follows a group of paranormal hunters on the search for evil spirits from the afterlife. —Marc Berman, Forbes, 2 Feb. 2025

Hosted as a live show by the ‘real’ Specs and Tucker, the actual paranormal investigators who inspired the original movie, the event soon takes a turn for the terrifying. —John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2025

Yet Presence is more a domestic drama than a tale of paranormal activity. —Elissa Suh, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing paranormal

• the paranormal

Rhymes for paranormal

• orthonormal
• supernormal
• abnormal
• conformal
• informal
• lognormal
• nonformal
• subnormal
• formal
• formyl

Medical Definition

paranormal

adjective

para·​nor·​mal ˌpar-ə-ˈnȯr-məl 

: not understandable in terms of known scientific laws and phenomena

experiments in paranormal cognition of drawings

—Psychological Abstracts

paranormally

-ē 

adverb