What does telepathic mean?
Telepathic is an adjective describing supposed communication of thoughts, feelings, or intentions without ordinary spoken or written messages. It may also refer to a person who seems intuitively to know what another person is thinking or feeling. The word occurs frequently in fiction, fantasy, speculative writing, and descriptions of close relationships, where it can suggest an almost wordless understanding between people. In ordinary conversation, “telepathic” is often used humorously or metaphorically, as when someone says that two friends can anticipate each other's needs. The term can carry a sense of mystery or exaggeration and is not generally intended as a technical claim that paranormal communication has been scientifically demonstrated. Its vocabulary lies in family with “telepathy” and “telepath,” from Greek elements meaning “far” and “feeling.”
adjectiveRelating to or involving the supposed transmission of thoughts or feelings without ordinary spoken communication. It can also describe someone who seems to understand another person's unspoken thoughts or feelings intuitively.
- Relating to or involving the supposed transmission of thoughts or feelings without ordinary sensory means.
- Having or seeming to have an intuitive understanding of another person's unspoken thoughts, motives, or feelings.
"The twins exchanged a telepathic glance, each sensing what the other was about to say."
"Their telepathic communication allowed them to complete the experiment without speaking."
"She had a telepathic understanding of what her brother needed and brought him a cup of tea."
Built from Greek roots for “far” and “feeling,” telepathic is a compact label for the idea of communication without words.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How telepathic is actually used
Telepathic is most common in literary, fictional, or colloquial contexts. It is often used metaphorically for an unusually accurate understanding of another person, but such usage does not ordinarily imply a literal paranormal ability.
Easily confused with telepathic
Telepathic refers to the supposed communication of thoughts or feelings, whereas telekinetic refers to the supposed movement of objects by mental force.