What does psychics mean?
Psychics is the plural form of psychic when the word refers to people said to possess paranormal abilities, such as the ability to perceive hidden information, communicate with the dead, or predict future events. The term is used both by practitioners and sceptics, but describing someone as a psychic does not establish that those abilities are real; such claims are generally treated as matters of belief, entertainment, or investigation. Psychics commonly appear in discussions of tarot, astrology, spiritualism, and stage performances, and may be called mediums, diviners, seers, or clairvoyants. Although its initial “psy-” sound is easy to recognize, psychics should not be confused with physics, a field concerned with matter, energy, motion, and the behaviour of the universe. The word comes from the same Greek root as psychology and psychiatry: psychē, meaning “mind” or “soul.” That shared history explains the spelling difference and reflects how meanings related to the mind can extend into ideas of perception or paranormal experience.
nounPsychics are people who claim to possess paranormal abilities, such as the power to perceive hidden information, communicate with the dead, or predict future events. The word does not establish the truth of these claims.
- People who claim to possess paranormal abilities, such as perceiving hidden information, communicating with the dead, or predicting future events.
"The crowd gathered around two psychics who promised to reveal messages from the beyond."
"A pair of psychics gave contradictory readings at the fair."
"Researchers studying psychics have found no reliable evidence that they can predict lottery numbers."
Psychics is the standard plural of the noun psychic when referring to people who claim paranormal abilities.
"The documentary interviewed psychics from several different traditions."
Psychics and physicists share a famously deceptive beginning, but only one set claims to read minds.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does psychics come from?
The word psychic comes through French psychique from Greek psychē, meaning “mind” or “soul,” with a suffix meaning “pertaining to.” It was used in English for matters connected with the mind or soul before acquiring its modern association with paranormal perception. Psychics is the plural of the noun psychic and shares its origin with psychology, psychiatry, and psyche.
Related word forms
How psychics is actually used
The word may be neutral when describing a profession, entertainment practice, or historical figure, but it can also carry a sceptical or derogatory implication because paranormal claims are generally regarded as unverified.
Easily confused with psychics
Psychics are people who claim paranormal abilities, whereas physics is the scientific study of matter, energy, motion, and the behaviour of the universe.