WordGarden.ioextrasensory
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˌɛkstrəˈsɛnsəri/
Meanings
Adjective
involving perception beyond the ordinary senses
Beyond the definition
The word "extrasensory" describes abilities or perceptions that go beyond the five traditional senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. Think of it as perceiving information through channels we don't fully understand using conventional biology. It most often refers to phenomena like telepathy (reading minds), clairvoyance (perceiving events happening elsewhere), or precognition (knowing the future).
While frequently associated with the paranormal, "extrasensory" simply denotes perception that occurs outside of normal sensory channels. You might encounter the term in science fiction stories featuring characters with unique mental powers, or hear it discussed in parapsychology—the study of unexplained mental phenomena. It is a word that hints at mysteries existing just beyond the reach of our everyday experience.
"Extrasensory" refers to any perception occurring outside the scope of the five basic senses. The term is most famously used in the phrase "extrasensory perception" (ESP), which serves as an umbrella term for abilities like telepathy (mind-to-mind communication), clairvoyance (the ability to gain information about distant objects or events), and precognition (the foreknowledge of future events).
The concept of extrasensory ability has captivated the human imagination for centuries, appearing in ancient folklore, mythology, and modern popular culture. While mainstream science remains skeptical about ESP due to a lack of consistent, verifiable evidence, it continues to be a subject of intense fascination and research within the field of parapsychology.
It is important to note that "extrasensory" usually does not refer to ordinary sharp senses or to animal abilities that are natural parts of their biology. Instead, it points to awareness that seems to work beyond the usual sensory process, especially in discussions of ESP, intuition, or unusual mental powers. Because of that, the word often sits somewhere between scientific curiosity, personal belief, and imaginative storytelling.
In literature and media, you might find a detective relying on an "extrasensory hunch" to crack a difficult case, or a philosopher using the term to debate the true nature of consciousness. Whether used to describe a "sixth sense" or an unexplained mental ability, "extrasensory" points toward the intriguing possibility that our perception of the world may be far more complex than our primary senses suggest.
Examples
- 1
Claimed powers
Some people believe she has extrasensory powers.
- 2
ESP
The documentary looks at cases of extrasensory perception, often called ESP.
- PhraseESP
short for "extrasensory perception"
- 3
Scientific skepticism
Most scientists remain skeptical of extrasensory claims because they are hard to test.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- extrasensory perception
- extrasensory powers
- extrasensory abilities
Explore
- ESP
- parapsychology
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- extrasensoryadjective