psychic

1 of 2

adjective

psy·​chic ˈsī-kik 

variants or less commonly psychical

ˈsī-ki-kəl 

1

: of or relating to the psyche : psychogenic

2

: lying outside the sphere of physical science or knowledge : immaterial, moral, or spiritual in origin or force

3

: sensitive to nonphysical or supernatural forces and influences : marked by extraordinary or mysterious sensitivity, perception, or understanding

psychically

ˈsī-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

psychic

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a person apparently sensitive to nonphysical forces

b

: medium sense 2d

2

: psychic phenomena

Synonyms

Noun

• channel
• channeler
• medium
• spiritist
• spiritualist

Examples of psychic in a Sentence

Adjective

She claims to be psychic.

Noun

She claims to be a psychic.

a celebrity psychic who managed to convince at least some people that their deceased loved ones were using him to relay messages

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

According to Tatler, Prince William’s mother Princess Diana had a deep interest in the spirit world, calling her personal psychic Sally Morgan up to three times a week to and from Norfolk with her sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

And just as hateful, outlandish, and conspiracist misinformation have eroded Americans’ trust in one another, institutions, and basic facts, this environment is taking a psychic toll on election workers. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2024

Noun

First, there’s Lilia, a strip-mall psychic who at first plays dumb to match Agatha’s attempt to go undercover as a Southern mom. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2024

For those looking for a science fiction experience like this full of killer robots, twisted psychics and gooey mutants, check out Escape The Dark Sector. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek psychikos of the soul, from psychē soul

First Known Use

Adjective

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

psychic

1 of 2 adjective

psy·​chic ˈsī-kik 

variants also psychical

-ki-kəl 

1

: of or relating to the psyche

2

: not physical

especially : not to be explained by knowledge of natural laws

3

: sensitive to influences or forces believed to come from beyond the natural world

psychically

-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

psychic

2 of 2 noun

: a psychic person (as a medium)

Medical Definition

psychic

1 of 2 adjective

psy·​chic ˈsī-kik 

variants also psychical

-ki-kəl 

1

: of or relating to the psyche : psychogenic

2

: sensitive to nonphysical or supernatural forces and influences

psychically

-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

psychic

2 of 2 noun

: a person apparently sensitive to nonphysical forces