psychic

American  

[sahy-kik] / ˈsaɪ kɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the human soul or mind; mental.

2. Psychology. pertaining to or noting mental phenomena.

3. outside of natural or scientific knowledge; spiritual.

4. of or relating to some apparently nonphysical force or agency.

   psychic research;

   psychic phenomena.

5. sensitive to influences or forces of a nonphysical or supernatural nature.

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noun

1. a person who is allegedly sensitive to psychic influences or forces; medium.

psychic British  

/ ˈsaɪkɪk /

adjective

1. 1. outside the possibilities defined by natural laws, as mental telepathy

   2. (of a person) sensitive to forces not recognized by natural laws

2. mental as opposed to physical; psychogenic

3. bridge (of a bid) based on less strength than would normally be required to make the bid

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noun

1. a person who is sensitive to parapsychological forces or influences

Other Word Forms

• interpsychic adjective
• nonpsychic adjective
• nonpsychical adjective
• psychical adjective
• psychically adverb
• unpsychic adjective

Etymology

Origin of psychic

First recorded in 1855–60; from Greek psȳchikós “of the soul”; Psyche, -ic

Explanation

A psychic reads minds and predicts the future. If you were a psychic, you wouldn't have bothered reading this because you would have known what I was going to say. Psychic can also describe something that has to do with your mind more than your body. You weren't physically harmed when your favorite team lost the championship game, but the psychic pain was considerable. Psychic comes from a Greek word meaning “breath” and “soul”: psychic matters are often felt but not seen.

Example Sentences

They consulted a psychic, who said that Cynthia’s body would be found near water.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

She told BBC Scotland News it was a bar she would not usually go to, but they had gone to see a psychic show.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The proliferation of AI this year alone has done more psychic damage to my soul than I ever knew possible.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2025

Little overtly happens in these books, but their stories are about the psychic consequences of the characters’ captivity and both are enriched with extraordinary local details.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

“We shall storm the office very shortly, thereby surprising the foe when his senses are still subject to the psychic mists of early morning.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Related Words

• mental
• metaphysical
• psychological
• spiritual
• supernatural