What does psychokinetic mean?
Psychokinetic is an adjective describing psychokinesis, the supposed power of moving, lifting, or otherwise affecting physical objects through mental effort alone. The word is most familiar from fantasy and science fiction, where characters with psychokinetic abilities may manipulate objects, bend metal, or levitate themselves. It also occurs in reports and discussions of alleged paranormal phenomena, although no reliable reproducible evidence demonstrates such an ability. As a result, outside imaginative contexts, psychokinetic language usually carries a skeptical or pseudoscientific implication. The related noun is psychokinesis, and the shorter adjective telekinetic is often used for the same imagined power. Psychokinetic is especially useful in popular culture because it names a familiar concept precisely while also signaling the distinction between fictional belief and scientifically accepted physical causation.
adjectiveRelating to psychokinesis, the supposed ability to move or affect physical objects by mental power alone.
- Of or relating to psychokinesis.
- Having or supposedly possessing the ability to move or affect physical objects by mental power.
"The comic-book hero uses his psychokinetic powers to lift a damaged bridge clear of the road."
"The laboratory claims to study psychokinetic effects, although no reproducible evidence supports them."
"She stared at the fallen cabinet, willing it to rise with psychokinetic force."
Psychokinetic describes the power to move objects with the mind alone—the classic superpower of lifting cars and bending metal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does psychokinetic come from?
Psychokinetic was formed in English from psycho-, ultimately from Greek psychē, meaning “mind” or “soul,” and kinetic, from Greek kinetikos, meaning “moving” or “in motion.” The combination refers to movement supposedly caused by the mind. Its close English relative psychokinesis uses the same elements and supplies the corresponding abstract noun.
Related word forms
How psychokinetic is actually used
The term is chiefly associated with fiction, comic books, and claims about paranormal abilities. In factual discussion, it normally appears in skeptical or scientific contexts and should not be used as though the claimed ability had been established.