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 of psychic

Noun

• medium
• spiritualist
• channeler
• telepath
• channel

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

LineOut, now on an Oscar qualifying run in Los Angeles, explores the psychic space of refugees forced to abandon home. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 July 2026

And while Argentina’s culture of talk therapy may turn psychic suffering into words on the therapist’s couch, fans may be reassured that the pros are trained to translate their nerves into strategy on the pitch. — Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Noun

Orlando Police were flooded with tips, including from psychics, about the disappearances of Jennifer Kesse in 2006 and Michelle Parker in 2011, the research paper said. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Though unusual, unorthodox and often a last resort, police departments at times call on psychics to help redirect detectives who’ve looked at the same facts and evidence time and again. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

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