paranormal
Americanadjective
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
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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para-
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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.
Asked if she was Team Sceptic or Team Believer in the paranormal, as featured in the Uncanny podcast, Creevy said she was "kind of on the fence" but had an open mind.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
The tone is more John Hughes than John Carpenter, as you’ll work together with a number of actors to uncover a paranormal mystery that’s consuming a suburban town.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
He began giving presentations at UFO events and interviews on paranormal programs.
From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026
And if any fictional town could make twice-a-year-Halloween seem reasonable, it was Gravity Falls, which teemed with paranormal mystery and intrigue.
From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2026
“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
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
