Word
psychic
Phoneticspsy·chic, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsaɪkɪk/
UK/sˈaɪkɪk/
Definitions
01a person with supernatural powers
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who says they can see the future or know things using special mental powers.
n. a person who claims to possess extrasensory perception (ESP), such as telepathy or precognition.
“The psychic predicted that I would meet someone important during my trip.”
“Despite the lack of scientific evidence, many people still consult a psychic when they are facing difficult life decisions or seeking closure.”
Synonyms
02relating to the mind
C1 · Advanced Academic
adj. relating to your mind or your spirit rather than your body.
adj. relating to the human psyche or mind; mental rather than physical in nature.
“The doctor said the patient's pain might have a psychic cause rather than a physical one.”
“The therapist explored the patient's psychic trauma, looking for deep-seated emotional patterns established during early childhood.”
Synonyms
03having supernatural powers
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having or using special powers that cannot be explained by science.
adj. pertaining to phenomena that appear to be outside of physical or natural laws, specifically involving extrasensory abilities.
“Some people believe that animals have a psychic ability to sense danger before it happens.”
“The investigator remained skeptical of the woman's psychic claims, searching instead for a logical explanation for the strange occurrences.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“It’s not like she is “psychic or anything”, she tells me, the clues were all there.” “Taylor had a psychic sense that the flight was going to crash.” “Most of their focus was on the psychic abilities of humans.” Etymology
From Ancient Greek ψυχικός (psukhikós, “relative to the soul, spirit, mind”). Earlier referred to as "psychical"; or from Ancient Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ, “soul, mind, psyche”). First appeared (as substantive) 1871 and first records 1895.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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