clairvoyance

noun

clair·​voy·​ance kler-ˈvȯi-ən(t)s 

1

: the power or faculty of discerning objects not present to the senses

2

: ability to perceive matters beyond the range of ordinary perception : penetration

The fortune teller practices clairvoyance when she gazes into a crystal ball to see her client's future.

Synonyms

• sixth sense
• telepathy
• second sight
• foreknowledge
• extrasensory perception

Examples of clairvoyance in a Sentence

I don't believe in clairvoyance, but I can't explain how he knew those things about my grandmother.

people who claim to have clairvoyance are sometimes asked to help locate missing persons

Recent Examples on the Web

In that movie, Lorraine sees visions of a demon dressed as a nun, which can block her clairvoyance. —Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025

The other is later on in the movie as Judy, who shows signs of clairvoyance and a connection to the supernatural like her mom, becomes possessed by the entity haunting the Smurls. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

The information comes to me from my spirit guides in three different ways: clairvoyance, clairaudience and clairsentience. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Investors expect perpetual outperformance, teams expect infallible guidance, regulators expect clairvoyance, and the media expect quotable eloquence. —Pankaj Vasani, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see clairvoyant entry 1

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clairvoyance

• annoyance

Kids Definition

clairvoyance

noun

clair·​voy·​ance kla(ə)r-ˈvȯi-ən(t)s 

kle(ə)r-

: the power of seeing or knowing about things that are not present to the senses

Etymology

from French clairvoyance "clairvoyance," from clair "clear" (from Latin clarus "clear") and voyant "seeing" (derived from Latin vidēre "to see") — related to clear, vision

Medical Definition

clairvoyance

noun

clair·​voy·​ance kla(ə)r-ˈvȯi-ən(t)s, kle(ə)r- 

: the power or faculty of discerning objects or matters not present to the senses

called also cryptesthesia