synesthesia

noun

syn·​es·​the·​sia ˌsi-nəs-ˈthē-zh(ē-)ə 

1

: a concomitant sensation

especially : a subjective sensation or image of a sense (as of color) other than the one (as of sound) being stimulated

2

: the condition marked by the experience of such sensations

synesthetic

ˌsi-nəs-ˈthe-tik 

adjective

Examples of synesthesia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The synesthesia, blooming with defiance, is a contradiction to traditional florals. —Essence, 16 June 2025

Pair it with: Yamada’s newest teen drama, The Colors Within, which artfully visualizes synesthesia. —Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 4 June 2025

Featuring a gradient leather finish in either green or purple, this design exemplifies the synesthesia phenomenon by reimagining a classic silhouette—blending two distinct styles and introducing them in striking and unconventional colorways. —Essence, 21 Feb. 2025

The payoff becomes a surreal synesthesia when it’s performed live in South Beach. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from syn- + -esthesia (as in anesthesia)

First Known Use

circa 1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for synesthesia

• anaesthesia
• analgesia
• anesthesia
• dyskinesia
• paresthesia
• amnesia
• atresia
• babesia
• hyperalgesia
• hyperesthesia

Medical Definition

synesthesia

noun

syn·​es·​the·​sia

variants or chiefly British synaesthesia

ˌsin-əs-ˈthē-zh(ē-)ə 

: a concomitant sensation and especially a subjective sensation or image of a sense (as of color) other than the one (as of sound) being stimulated

also : the condition marked by the experience of such sensations

synesthetic adjective

or chiefly British synaesthetic

-ˈthet-ik