paranormal

[par-uh-nawr-muhl]

adjective

1. of or relating to the claimed occurrence of an event or perception without scientific explanation, as psychokinesis, extrasensory perception, or other purportedly supernatural phenomena.

paranormal

/ ˌpærəˈnɔːməl /

adjective

1. beyond normal explanation

noun

1. paranormal happenings generally

Other Word Forms

• paranormally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paranormal¹

First recorded in 1915–20; para- ¹ + normal

Example Sentences

The 2016 “Ghostbusters” reboot brings this same energy into the supernatural realm, with four women combating ghosts through the sciences and their combined savvy in matters of the paranormal.

From Salon

The official cause of death for Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator who died while handling the allegedly haunted Annabelle doll during a tour in Pennsylvania earlier this year, has been revealed.

From Los Angeles Times

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

And last year, the Tasmanian tourist board posted "adverts" for jobs including wallaby walker and paranormal investigator, in a bid to encourage more tourism to the island during the off-season.

From BBC

Purvis makes a clever but careful case for combining the Gothic with the paranormal.

From Los Angeles Times