paranormal

American  

[par-uh-nawr-muhl] / ˌpær əˈnɔr məl /

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.

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paranormal British  

/ ˌpærəˈnɔːməl /

adjective

1. beyond normal explanation

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noun

1. paranormal happenings generally

Other Word Forms

• paranormally adverb

Etymology

Origin of paranormal

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

Example Sentences

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

“People would call in and give their accounts of all the paranormal sightings they would see,” she recalls.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

Not long after moving in, they discover the very grand house had a very troubling history of paranormal events.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 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

“Oh God, Charlie, she’s letting you read again! You went straight to the paranormal section, didn’t you?”

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia