# paranormal

/pɛɹəˈnɔɹməɫ/ (US) · /pˈæɹənˌɔːməl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/paranormal
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. unexplained by science

adjective · CEFR B2

describes events or powers that seem to break the laws of nature and cannot be explained by science.

For teachers: denoting events or phenomena that are beyond the scope of normal scientific understanding or natural laws.

- The investigators looked for a paranormal explanation for the strange noises in the old house.
- The documentary explores various paranormal claims, ranging from telepathic communication to sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse 'paranormal' with 'supernatural'. While similar, 'paranormal' is more common in modern contexts involving research or investigation, whereas 'supernatural' often relates to religion or mythology.

### 2. strange events in general

noun · CEFR B2

strange things or events that science cannot explain, looked at as a group.

For teachers: a collective term for phenomena or experiences that lack a scientific explanation.

- She has been interested in the paranormal since she saw a ghost as a child.
- The author has spent decades researching the paranormal, documenting hundreds of cases that defy conventional physics.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the'.

## Examples

- The old house is famous for paranormal activity.
- Investigators spent the night in the castle trying to find a scientific reason for the paranormal reports.
- While many people enjoy stories of paranormal encounters, skeptics argue that most sightings can be attributed to environmental factors or psychological tricks of the mind.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.