What does clairvoyant mean?
A clairvoyant is a person who is believed — by themselves or by others — to possess the ability to perceive information that cannot be gathered through the normal senses: events happening at a distance, hidden objects, or happenings yet to come. The word also works as an adjective, describing someone or something endowed with this supposed power, and it is often applied loosely to describe uncanny foresight of any kind, as in 'a clairvoyant prediction about the economy.' The term derives from French, where it literally means 'clear-seeing,' and entered English usage during the seventeenth century before becoming strongly associated with nineteenth-century spiritualism, when mediums claiming second sight drew large public followings. Today the noun appears most often in contexts involving psychics, fortune-tellers, and paranormal investigation, where it may carry an admiring, neutral, or openly sceptical tone depending on the speaker. In everyday figurative use, calling someone clairvoyant suggests their insight seemed almost supernatural in its accuracy.
A person who claims to have the supernatural ability to perceive events or objects beyond the range of normal sensory contact.
"Consulting a clairvoyant before making major decisions was once surprisingly common."
Usually used of people; plural form 'clairvoyants' is regular.
Possessing, or characteristic of, the supposed power of seeing events or objects beyond normal sensory perception.
"Her eerily accurate forecast made colleagues joke that she was clairvoyant."
Frequently used figuratively for remarkable foresight or prescience.
Regular English plural, used when referring to multiple practitioners.
"Several clairvoyants were invited to appear at the summer fair."
The word 'clairvoyant' comes from French and literally means 'clear-seeing' — coined in the 17th century, long before anyone thought to test the claim in a laboratory.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of clairvoyant
Clairvoyant comes from the French adjective clairvoyant, meaning 'clear-sighted', formed from the Old French words clair (from Latin clarus, 'clear') and voyant (from the verb voir, ultimately from Latin videre, 'to see'). The compound was borrowed into English in the mid-seventeenth century, initially in general use relating to keen sight or insight. Its strong association with supernatural perception developed especially in the nineteenth century alongside the spiritualist movement.
Related word forms
How clairvoyant is actually used
Often used with scepticism in modern formal contexts; common in discussions of paranormal phenomena, spiritualism, and fortune-telling. The adjective sense is frequently used figuratively to describe someone remarkably insightful ('a clairvoyant analysis of the market').
Easily confused with clairvoyant
Clairaudient refers to hearing beyond normal perception, while clairvoyant refers to seeing or perceiving beyond normal sight.