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

The Matrix is the stone-cold classic, and Dark City has its devotees (Roger Ebert notable among them), but for me, Francis Lawrence’s directorial debut about a psychic consultant has always been the best distillation of this aesthetic. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

Mercury in Scorpio If you were born with Mercury in Scorpio, your psychic antenna and detective mind are undeniable. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025

Noun

After a woman named AP (Sriram) loses a tooth and is unexpectedly cast with a curse, psychics promise that it can be lifted by a measly $1,000 payment and animal sacrifice. —Matt Minton, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025

Then, two days before his appointment, McCracken proposed hiring a psychic to hear the 12-year-old dog's final thoughts During the session, McCracken recorded. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for psychic

• intrapsychic

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