extrasensory

adjective

ex·​tra·​sen·​so·​ry ˌek-strə-ˈsen(t)-sə-rē How to pronounce extrasensory (audio)
-ˈsen(t)s-rē
: residing beyond or outside the ordinary senses

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Since extra means "outside, beyond", extrasensory means basically "beyond the senses". Extrasensory perception, or ESP, usually includes communication between minds involving no obvious contact (telepathy), gaining information about something without using the normal senses (clairvoyance), or predicting the future (precognition). According to polls, about 40% of Americans believe in ESP, and many of them have had personal experiences that seem to prove its existence. When someone jumps into your mind months or years after you had last thought of him or her, and the next day you learn that the person has just died, it can be hard to convince yourself it was just coincidence. Still, scientific attempts to prove the existence of ESP have never been terribly successful.

Examples of extrasensory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web From the above example, friend one and two demonstrate a relatively standard range of sensitivity, while friend three and four exhibit more extreme extrasensory abilities. Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, 2 July 2018 Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner’s extrasensory musical comes back to us courtesy of the Irish Repertory Theater. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 21 June 2018 Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner’s extrasensory musical comes back to us in a revival courtesy of the Irish Repertory Theater. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 14 June 2018 Making out with Elektra Natchios in the rain demonstrates Daredevil’s extrasensory abilities. Peter Nagy, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2018 So, in addition to her boundless cleverness, Matilda develops some extrasensory powers as a defense against the small-mindedness of the adults around her. Punch Shaw, star-telegram.com, 15 June 2017 The laboratory has conducted studies on extrasensory perception and telekinesis from its cramped quarters in the basement of the university’s engineering building since 1979. Randy Dotinga, WIRED, 12 Feb. 2007

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extrasensory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extrasensory was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near extrasensory

Cite this Entry

“Extrasensory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extrasensory. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

extrasensory

adjective
ex·​tra·​sen·​so·​ry ˌek-strə-ˈsen(t)s-(ə-)rē How to pronounce extrasensory (audio)
: not acting or occurring through use of the known senses
extrasensory experience

Medical Definition

extrasensory

adjective
ex·​tra·​sen·​so·​ry ˌek-strə-ˈsen(t)s-(ə-)rē How to pronounce extrasensory (audio)
: residing beyond or outside the ordinary senses

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