psychic

1 of 2

adjective

psy·​chic ˈsī-kik 

variants or less commonly psychical

ˈsī-ki-kəl 

1

: of or relating to the psyche : psychogenic

2

: lying outside the sphere of physical science or knowledge : immaterial, moral, or spiritual in origin or force

3

: sensitive to nonphysical or supernatural forces and influences : marked by extraordinary or mysterious sensitivity, perception, or understanding

psychically

ˈsī-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

psychic

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a person apparently sensitive to nonphysical forces

b

: medium sense 2d

2

: psychic phenomena

Synonyms

Noun

• channel
• channeler
• medium
• spiritist
• spiritualist

Examples of psychic in a Sentence

Adjective

She claims to be psychic.

Noun

She claims to be a psychic.

a celebrity psychic who managed to convince at least some people that their deceased loved ones were using him to relay messages

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In Season 1, Wednesday worked to master her emerging psychic abilities while tracking down a monster terrorizing the local town. —Selome Hailu, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024

That’s what actually brings him here in the first place; in the opening sequence, an ailing Bulgarian woman consults with a psychic who tells her that the only way she can be cured is by having a Black man lay hands on her. —Jen Chaney, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024

Noun

The canyon has long been considered sacred by Native people and, more recently, holy by pilgrims and unique by New Age mystics and psychics who believe in its spiritual powers. —Tasha Zemke, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024

Seeking out witches, psychics, mediums, or other purveyors of magic or mysticism during times of change or uncertainty has been happening for centuries. —Vittoria Elliott, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek psychikos of the soul, from psychē soul

First Known Use

Adjective

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

psychic

1 of 2 adjective

psy·​chic ˈsī-kik 

variants also psychical

-ki-kəl 

1

: of or relating to the psyche

2

: not physical

especially : not to be explained by knowledge of natural laws

3

: sensitive to influences or forces believed to come from beyond the natural world

psychically

-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

psychic

2 of 2 noun

: a psychic person (as a medium)

Medical Definition

psychic

1 of 2 adjective

psy·​chic ˈsī-kik 

variants also psychical

-ki-kəl 

1

: of or relating to the psyche : psychogenic

2

: sensitive to nonphysical or supernatural forces and influences

psychically

-ki-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

psychic

2 of 2 noun

: a person apparently sensitive to nonphysical forces