paranormal

adjective

para·​nor·​mal ˌper-ə-ˈnȯr-məl 

ˌpa-rə-;

ˈper-ə-ˌnȯr-,

ˈpa-rə-

: not scientifically explainable : supernatural

paranormal noun

paranormality

ˌper-ə-ˌnȯr-ˈma-lə-tē 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

paranormally

ˌper-ə-ˈnȯr-mə-lē 

ˌpa-rə-;

ˈper-ə-ˌnȯr-

ˈpa-rə-

adverb

Synonyms

• metaphysical
• otherworldly
• preternatural
• supernatural
• transcendent
• transcendental
• unearthly

Examples of paranormal in a Sentence

there are rumors that the old deserted mansion is the site of paranormal activity

Recent Examples on the Web

This Conjuring film, like the others, is inspired by the real-life case files of paranormal investigators and couple, Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga). —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2025

The experience blends Key West history with a hands-on paranormal investigation, plus time spent sitting face-to-face with the haunted doll. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 8 May 2025

Tamara Ray, a California singer-songwriter who moved to Tombstone not long ago and started wearing vintage dresses, reports that she was drawn to the town by paranormal forces. —Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

The first in this now iconic horror film franchise which spawned four sequels follows a married couple investigating paranormal goings-on. —Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing paranormal

• the paranormal

Rhymes for paranormal

• orthonormal
• supernormal
• abnormal
• conformal
• informal
• lognormal
• nonformal
• subnormal
• formal
• formyl

Medical Definition

paranormal

adjective

para·​nor·​mal ˌpar-ə-ˈnȯr-məl 

: not understandable in terms of known scientific laws and phenomena

experiments in paranormal cognition of drawings

—Psychological Abstracts

paranormally

-ē 

adverb