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

• supernatural
• metaphysical
• transcendental

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

The Warrens have even stepped away from paranormal phenomena, largely because Ed’s health is poor and his heart can’t take it anymore. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

The society added that its founders, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, were called in and determined that the doll was possessed. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025

Lodge explained that Raymond’s death and his involvement in paranormal research did not initially coincide. —Alice Vernon september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025

Wilson and Farmiga once again play real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are forced to take on one last case in Michael Chaves’ film. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 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