paranormal

adjective

para·​nor·​mal ˌper-ə-ˈnȯr-məl 

ˌpa-rə-;

ˈper-ə-ˌnȯr-,

ˈpa-rə-

: not scientifically explainable : supernatural

paranormal noun

paranormality

ˌper-ə-ˌnȯr-ˈma-lə-tē 

ˌpa-rə-

noun

paranormally

ˌper-ə-ˈnȯr-mə-lē 

ˌpa-rə-;

ˈper-ə-ˌnȯr-

ˈpa-rə-

adverb

Synonyms of paranormal

• supernatural
• metaphysical
• transcendental

Examples of paranormal in a Sentence

there are rumors that the old deserted mansion is the site of paranormal activity

Recent Examples on the Web

One year after the events of the original, our returning quartet is recruited by the saucy, sinister Professor Oldman (Tim Curry) to spend a night at a haunted mansion, subtly dubbed Hell House, for a psychological, paranormal experiment. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025

This excitement of the ghost hunt, which hooks paranormal tourists and keeps them returning, is a recurring theme among these travelers. —Aaron Sagers, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

While the destination for paranormal tourism can often take place in centuries-old buildings, like Wiseman’s trip to Rhodes Hall in Atlanta, a number of ritzy hotels also make the list. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025

And that’s usually the ones that are paranormal. —James Factora, Them., 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing paranormal

• the paranormal

Rhymes for paranormal

• orthonormal
• supernormal
• abnormal
• conformal
• informal
• lognormal
• nonformal
• subnormal
• formal
• formyl

Medical Definition

paranormal

adjective

para·​nor·​mal ˌpar-ə-ˈnȯr-məl 

: not understandable in terms of known scientific laws and phenomena

experiments in paranormal cognition of drawings

—Psychological Abstracts

paranormally

-ē 

adverb