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

Like any group with more than 50 members, there have been a few paranormal personality clashes. — Megan De Mar, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

With the new immersive sound system, orchestra impact becomes a matter of technology, giving individual instruments paranormal prominence and turning full orchestra glory into a sensual sound bath. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Someone who might have the answers is fan-favorite franchise staple Elise (Lin Shaye), a medium who commutes between both worlds, here via the body of a tattoo artist (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) endowed with paranormal gifts. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026

Among them is Benjamin Radford, a research fellow and investigator with the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, a nonprofit organization that evaluates paranormal and fringe-science claims from a scientific viewpoint. — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

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
• 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